Rangers put C Soto on DL, activate RHP Martinez

NEW YORK (AP) — Texas Rangers catcher Geovany Soto was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a strained right groin, less than a week after he returned from right knee surgery.

It’s the latest disheartening injury for the Rangers in a dreadful season full of them. Soto got hurt running the bases Monday night and left a 4-2 victory over the Yankees.

The last-place Rangers have used the disabled list 22 times this season and currently have 14 players on the DL, both major league highs. They set big league records for players (50) and pitchers (30) used before the All-Star break.

“It’s more of the same thing. What can you do at this point? It’s just bizarre. That’s the only word that I can use to describe this,” said right fielder Alex Rios, who sat out his third straight game with a sprained right ankle. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Like I said, the only way I can describe it is it’s a very bizarre event that happened to a good team.”

The move opened a roster spot for right-hander Nick Martinez, reinstated from the disabled list to start Tuesday night against New York. Martinez was injured taking batting practice and had been sidelined since July 2 with discomfort on his left side.

Soto had surgery in March and was not activated until last Thursday during the All-Star break. He started three games behind the plate and was 4 for 11 (.364) with a double and an RBI.

“Of course it’s a downer, because he’s a competitor. He’s just a facsimile of our year,” manager Ron Washington said. “We get pieces that we’re depending on hurt.”

Robinson Chirinos started behind the plate Tuesday night, and the Rangers also have catchers Chris Gimenez and J.P. Arencibia on the active roster. Arencibia has been filling in at first base since returning from the minors.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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