As expected, the Rangers optioned reliever Jose Leclerc to Triple-A Round Rock and activated left-handed starter Martin Perez on Thursday, adding a missing piece to their projected rotation. The move ensures that veteran righty Bartolo Colon will remain on the Rangers' roster in an undetermined role.
The 44-year old Colon fared well in his first start with Texas on Monday, holding the A's to one run on seven hits over six innings in an eventual 3-1 loss. Colon signed with the Rangers in February and then returned to the team two days after he was released late last month.