Texas Rangers Announce 2008 MLB Opening Day Roster

03/30/2008, SEATTLE -- The Texas Rangers announced several roster moves today in finalizing the club's 2008 MLB Opening Day 25-man roster. The Texas Rangers have made the following moves:

• Designated outfielder Nelson Cruz and right-handed pitcher Robinson Tejeda for assignment
• Selected the contracts of right-handed pitcher Franklyn German, Adam Melhuse, and Jamey Wright from Triple-A Oklahoma
• Optioned right-handed pitcher Wes Littleton to Triple-A Oklahoma
• Placed right-handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy on the 60-day disabled list...he can be reinstated on May 29.
• Placed right-handed pitcher Luis Mendoza (retroactive to March 24) and infielder Travis Metcalf (retroactive to March 21) on 15-day disabled list.

Left-handed pitcher John Rheinecker was previously put on the 60-day disabled list with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome when the club acquired right-handed pitcher Dustin Nippert from Arizona on Friday night. Rheinecker can also be reinstated on May 29. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright both Cruz and Tejeda to the Minor Leagues.

Below is a listing of the 2008 MLB Opening Day roster.

Right-handed Pitchers
: Joaquin Benoit
Franklyn German
Kazuo Fukumori
Jason Jennings
Dustin Nippert
Kevin Millwood
Jamey Wright
Josh Rupe
Vicente Padilla

Left-handed Pitchers
: Kason Gabbard
Eddie Guardado
C.J. Wilson

Catchers
: Gerald Laird
Adam Melhuse

Infielders
: Hank Blalock
Jason Botts
Ben Broussard
Ian Kinsler
Ramon Vazquez
Michael Young

Outfielders
: Milton Bradley
Marlon Byrd
Frank Catalanotto
Josh Hamilton
David Murphy

60-day Disabled List (2)
: RHP Brandon McCarthy (right forearm inflammation)
LHP John Rheinecker (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome)

15-day Disabled List (2)
: RHP Luis Mendoza (blister on right middle finger)
INF Travis Metcalf (left hamstring tear)

The Texas Rangers have five players on an Opening Day roster for the first time: Jason Botts, Kazuo Fukumori, Kason Gabbard, David Murphy, and Josh Rupe. There are also eight players looking to make their Texas debuts: Milton Bradley, Ben Broussard, Kazuo Fukumori, Franklyn German, Eddie Guardado, Josh Hamilton, Jason Jennings, and Dustin Nippert.

The Texas Rangers begin the season with 40 players on the club's 40-man roster.

Source: MLB