Rangers place Alex Rios on waivers

[BigTex]

Ken Rosenthal reports

[BigTex]

Kinda strange to see somebody placed on waivers in the lineup.

[Bob Of Burleson]

By Evan Grant/reporter
egrant@dallasnews.com

Texas Rangers right fielder Alex Rios (51) scores a run in the sixth inning of MLB Baseball action against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas on Friday, July 25, 2014. (Brad Loper/The Dallas Morning News)

CHICAGO – According to a tweeted report from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Rangers have placed OF Alex Rios on revocable waivers, as is common practice in August.

Rangers officials declined to comment on the matter, as the waiver wire is supposed to be confidential. The waivers process takes 48 hours, so the Rangers would either know by Thursday afternoon if they could trade Rios to any team or, if somebody claims him, who would be their only potential trade partner going forward. If nobody puts in a claim, as is also common in August, he could be traded to any club.

If the Rangers can’t work out a trade with a team that claims him, they can pull him back from waivers or could “award” his contract to the claiming team. Such a move would save the Rangers about $3.4 million. That is what is left on his $12.5 million contract for this season and the buyout of his 2015 option. If the Rangers pick up the option, they would owe him $13.5 million for 2015.

Rios, whose mobility has been slightly limited recently by an ankle sprain, is no stranger to the machinations of the August waiver wire. He’s twice been moved in August, once going from Toronto to Chicago in a straight waiver claim. The Rangers acquired him from Chicago last year in a trade after they put in a waiver claim.

Rios began Tuesday hitting .296, but has just four homers and only one since May. He also has only a .245 batting average with runners in scoring position for the year and only a .189 mark in 37 such at-bats since June 9.