Choice Out, Smolinski Set to Return

The Texas Rangers will almost certainly not see Michael Choice in a game again this year after he left Sunday's win over Atlanta with a strained hamstring after an RBI double. With only 13 games remaining, the chances of Choice coming back look pretty meager.

But it's OK, because on Tuesday, the Rangers will activate rookie outfielder Jake Smolinski from the disabled list to step in for Choice as a full-time outfielder for the season's final two weeks.

Smolinski was one of the season's better stories, which says a lot about how bad this season has been in Arlington.

The 25-year-old made his big-league debut and caught fire from the get-go for the Rangers. In his 11 games prior to hitting the disabled list with a fractured foot, Smolinski hit .389 with a .450 on-base percentage, three doubles and five RBIs. He also made a few highlight-reel catches in left field, drawing several comparisons to former Ranger great Rusty Greer.

In a season that was completely lost many moons ago, Smolinski is a guy the Rangers would like to see finish 2014 on a positive note.

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