MLB Rumors: Colby Lewis’s return to Rangers depends on Adrian Beltre’s status

The Texas Rangers find themselves with a number of moving parts with their big league roster. Starting pitcher Colby Lewis, who has been out since July of 2012, has worked his way back to where he is ready to return to the big league rotation. When he does so will depend on the status of star third baseman Adrian Beltre and his ailing quad muscle.

The Rangers are hoping that some rest for Beltre will keep him off the disabled list. Once a determination has been made one way or another on that front, a decision will then be made with Lewis. From T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com:

"Lewis, who has not pitched in the Major Leagues since July 18, 2012, was supposed to pitch on Saturday. But the Rangers were off on Thursday, which means they don’t need a fifth starter until Tuesday at the latest. The Rangers are instead pushing Lewis back so that they don’t have to make a roster move until they have a better idea of what’s happening with Beltre.”"

Sullivan also notes that if Beltre can avoid the DL, the Rangers will have to make a move with another position player to make room for Lewis. Obviously the best case scenario would be one where they regain a valuable starting pitcher (Lewis) and keep one of the best position players in baseball (Beltre) off the disabled list. That would be true for any team, but especially for one that has been as severely impacted by injuries as the Rangers have this season.