ARLINGTON, Texas - The ever-changing first base position for the Texas Rangers has a new occupant.
Texas purchased the contract of veteran first baseman Carlos Pena from Round Rock and designated Brad Snyder for assignment.
Pena, who was drafted by the Rangers in first round in 1998, was in Tuesday's lineup batting sixth.
He's the fifth first baseman the Rangers have used this season, joining Prince Fielder, Mitch Moreland, Donnie Murphy and Snyder.
The club signed Pena to a minor-league deal last week and he hit .333 in seven games with Round Rock. He was an All-Star in 2009 with Tampa Bay, won a Gold Glove in 2008 and a Silver Slugger in 2007.
Pena, who made his debut with Texas in 2001, is happy his career has come full circle.
"When I first got the call to come over the organization I was extremely excited and obviously I was very grateful," the 36-year-old said. "I'm going to do the best I can, enjoy it as much as possible and work as hard as I can and let things take care of themselves. Here I am where it all started for me and it's truly very special."
Texas manager Ron Washington said he wasn't sure if the left-handed hitting Pena would play every day of if he'd split time with Murphy. Washington worked briefly with Pena in the past, managing him in winter-league play and as the third-base coach for the 40 games Pena played with Oakland in 2002.
Pena has been working out this season since he was released by the Los Angeles Angels in spring training.
"I'm confident this is the right place," said Pena, a career .233 hitter with 285 home runs. "I want to come out and do the best I can and pull the rope in the same direction. Hopefully we can achieve what we want to achieve and win."
