Chris

McGuiness

The Rangers first base prospect, acquired in the 2010 deal for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, also played exceptional defense throughout the fall league schedule. The 24-year-old McGuiness hit .268/.366/.474 with 23 homers and 77 RBI for Double-A Frisco in 2012.

Moreland was placed on the disabled list Thursday with a right hamstring strain. Rangers manager Ron Washington is hopeful that he’ll be back as soon as he’s eligible, but it all depends on how he responds to increased activity. Chris McGuiness is expected to get the majority of starts at first base during his absence while Jeff Baker and Lance Berkman could see at-bats there against southpaws.

“McGuiness is going to get the majority of the time, the same time Moreland was getting,” Washington said. “I’ll pick and choose with him on lefties.” The left-handed swinging McGuiness will start against righties, while Jeff Baker and possibly Lance Berkman figure to spell him against southpaws. The 25-year-old is worth adding in AL-only leagues.

McGuiness was taken by the Indians in last December’s Rule 5 Draft but failed to crack Cleveland’s Opening Day roster this spring and was returned to the Rangers in late March. The 25-year-old should see semi-regular playing time at first base while Mitch Moreland (hamstring) is sidelined. McGuiness was batting .275/.382/.477 with six homers and 34 RBI in 55 games at the Triple-A level.

McGuiness had six hits and 13 strikeouts in 34 plate appearances with the Rangers for a .176/.176/.206 batting line. He may get another shot later this summer.

McGuiness batted .268/.366/.474 with 23 home runs and 77 RBI in 123 games this summer for Double-A Frisco. The 24-year-old could be a bench bat in Cleveland.

The Indians will keep $25,000 -- or half of the $50,000 it took to draft him in December. McGuiness, 24, batted .268/.366/.474 with 23 homers at the Double-A level last season. The Rangers are surely glad to have him back.

McGuiness is batting just .195/.267/.244 for the Tribe this spring, but obviously they see something they like in the 24-year-old. He batted .268/.366/.474 with 23 homers at the Double-A level last season.

The 24-year-old was a Rule 5 pick in December after hitting .268/.366/.474 for the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate in 2012. McGuiness has a chance to make the Indians’ Opening Day roster as a bench bat, and increasing his versatility will only help that cause.

The move clears a spot for the newly-signed Shin-Soo Choo on the 40-man roster. McGuiness, 25, appeared in 10 games with the Rangers this past season and hit .246/.369/.423 with 11 home runs and 63 RBI over 104 games in Triple-A.