Rangers call up Alex Cora, designate Arias

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers called up second baseman Alex Cora from Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated infielder Joaquin Arias for assignment on Tuesday.

Cora, who was released by the Mets on Aug. 11, joined the Rangers for Tuesday's game against the Twins. The Rangers have 10 days to trade Arias, release him or get him through outright waivers.

Arias was hitting .276 in 50 games for Texas this season while twice going on the disabled list. But the Rangers, with both Ian Kinsler and Cristian Guzman on the DL, had lost all confidence in him as a viable option in the infield. Andres Blanco has taken over as the Rangers' regular second baseman while Kinsler and Guzman are out.

"The general thought going down the stretch is there is some value of having another guy who is playoff-tested and has a little more experience," Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said.

Cora has played in all or parts of 13 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Dodgers, Indians, Red Sox and Mets. He has played in 13 postseason games, including two for the Red Sox in the 2007 World Series against the Rockies. He was hitting .207 for the Mets when they released him.

The Rangers signed him to a Triple-A Oklahoma City contract last week, and he was 4-for-22 in six games before being recalled on Tuesday.
Arias was one of two players acquired from the Yankees in 2004 for shortstop Alex Rodriguez. He was once considered a premier defensive player, but he injured his shoulder three years ago in Spring Training and never fully regained his arm strength.



(mlb.com)