ARLINGTON - The Rangers, a team supposedly all about building for the future, on Tuesday optioned a 25-year-old center fielder to the minor leagues who had been among the most productive defensive outfielders in the game and recalled a 34-year-old pitching journeyman.
The Rangers needed pitching depth after allowing 40 runs on 61 hits in the first four games after the All-Star break, so the recall of left-hander Brandon Mann was not a big surprise.
The decision to send DeShields to the minors, however, was.
DeShields began the season as potentially part of the Rangers' core for the future.