ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers made the move that was expected Tuesday, designating outfielder Julio Borbon for assignment to make room for Tuesday starter Nick Tepesch.
The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release or outright Borbon to the minor leagues.
"I'm biased," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "I'm around him (Borbon) all the time. I've seen the work he put in. I think he's better than a lot of guys that are out there."
There was interest in Borbon by other teams during spring training. Daniels said the team wasn't in a rush to make a deal happen at the time. The club will could keep Borbon in limbo for the next eight days trying to work out a deal. They have eight days before they have to put him on waivers and expose him to other teams.
"He's a big-league player," Daniels said. "The spot and the opportunity isn't here at this time. There's no doubt in my mind he can play in the big leagues."
Borbon, who took early batting practice with the Rangers, had just one at-bat for Texas this year.
Daniels said trade dialogue on Borbon died down once the season started. He said the club will send out a memo to other teams to see what transpires with other organizations.
The Rangers didn't have any other options on the big-league club. Centerfielder Leonys Martin has options and could have been sent down to keep Borbon on the big-league roster but Daniels said that wasn't going to happen because Martin earned a spot on the team.
"We're not going to reverse course 10 days into the season, a week into the season or whatever we are," Daniels said. "We believe in him and he will continue to get an opportunity to prove himself."
