Notes: Santana, Tejeda, Odor, Heineman

The Rangers on Sunday placed outfielder Danny Santana on the injured list with soreness in his right forearm and have activated infielder Anderson Tejeda off the taxi squad.

Santana, a switch-hitter, was only available as a left-handed pinch-hitter since the arm started bothering him last week. He is supposed to start a throwing program on Tuesday but the Rangers felt he would need at least a week before being ready to return to the field.

Sunday was the fourth game he has missed and he was 1-for-17 offensively to start the season. He also hit a combined .231 (15-for-65) with three home runs in Spring Training and Summer Camp.

Tejeda, a switch-hitter who is the No. 7-ranked prospect in the Rangers farm system, will be looking to make his Major League debut and has never played above Class A. He played in 43 games at Down East last season, hitting .234/.315/.386 while missing the last two months with a left shoulder injury.

The Rangers are hoping to avoid the IL with second baseman Rougned Odor, who is sidelined with tightness in his right oblique muscle. Odor felt the muscle tighten in the third inning of Saturday’s 7-3 loss to the Giants. He will be re-evaluated when the Rangers open a three-game series with the Athletics on Tuesday in Oakland.

“He has improved from yesterday,” general manager Jon Daniels said Sunday. “He saw the San Francisco doctor last night and it doesn’t appear like he has pulled a muscle. But he has some tightness around the area. We are going to play it cautiously but it does not appear a significant issue at this point.”

The Rangers went with Nick Solak at second base and Scott Heineman in center on Sunday. Both can play center but Heineman has more experience at the position. With Santana and Odor out, the Rangers were missing two bats that combined for 58 home runs and 174 RBIs last season.

“Guys have to step up,” manager Chris Woodward said. “That’s why we have depth and that’s why we have a taxi squad. These guys are ready. They are hungry. [Jose] Trevino said it best: You get one start, make the most of it. We are going to have to see the back end of our roster produce for us. Obviously missing Rougned and Danny are big parts of our offense, but the other guys have to take a step forward.”

Brother vs. brother blast

Heineman went 1-for-4 with a home run on Saturday night with his brother behind the plate for the Giants. That happened twice last year when Scott was at Triple-A Nashville and Tyler was at New Orleans.

“I played him twice, and both games homered,” Scott said. “They were my worst statistic games, both 1-for-4. Then [Saturday], same result. I saw him after the game -- we did a jersey swap, which was pretty cool -- the first thing he said to me was like 'Dude, unbelievable. Three-for-12 with three home runs!'

“So maybe I've got good fortune when he's behind the plate. Obviously, the most important thing is getting a team win, which we didn't do. But, yeah, maybe he brings me some luck when I'm up there, in terms of the long ball.”

Rangers beat

• Joely Rodríguez threw live batting practice on Sunday and could be activated on Tuesday in Oakland. He is on the injured list with a strained lat muscle.

• The Rangers also have right-hander Derek Law with them in San Francisco if they need another pitcher. He is on the three-man taxi squad along with catcher Tim Federowicz and the just-activated Tejeda.

• The Rangers are off on Monday in San Francisco and Daniels said, “I think guys, for the most part, will stay in rooms the whole day. There just aren't many options. We've seen the other issues and these guys don't want to be that group. I think our guys get it. They really do. I'm not too worried about that."