Diekman taking trade rumors in stride

ARLINGTON -- Rangers reliever Jake Diekman has been traded once before at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.
He is not going to agonize over the possibility of it happening again.
"If it happens, it happens," Diekman said. "If it doesn't, it doesn't. I guess we have 10 1/2 days left. If I think about it, I am going to stress out my pregnant wife (Amanda, who is due in November), and that will be terrible."
The Rangers are getting quite a bit of interest in their relievers with Diekman and closer Keone Kela being the obviously names. Diekman has appeared in 41 games for the Rangers and is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA and a .226 opponents' batting average. He has struck out 10.96 batters per nine innings but also walked 5.08. Left-handers are hitting .300 off him -- which may be a concern for clubs looking for a lefty setup reliever -- but he's holding right-handed hitters to a.190 average.
Texas originally acquired him in a trade with the Phillies on July 31, 2015.

The Rangers traded one reliever on Thursday when they sent right-hander Jesse Chavez to the Cubs for Minor League pitcher Tyler Thomas. That left them one reliever short on Friday night as the Rangers are waiting until Saturday when left-hander Alex Claudio is eligible to come off the disabled list.
Claudio has been sidelined since July 10 with a sprained left ankle, but threw a bullpen on Thursday without any issues or pain. 
Hamels pushed back
The Rangers are pushing Cole Hamels' next start back to Monday night against the Athletics. The Rangers originally had Hamels pitching on Sunday against the Indians but Yovani Gallardo will pitch instead.
"Just give Cole another day," manager Jeff Banister said. "Coming out of the break, this is something [the coaching staff] talked about, giving Cole an extra day. We felt like the extra day would help him."

Heineman talked about 
Banister said the Rangers did talk about outfielder Scott Heineman before deciding to call up Willie Calhoun on Friday. Heineman, who started the season at Double-A Frisco, has played in 82 games at Round Rock and is hitting .299 with nine home runs, 47 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, a .378 on-base percentage and a .465 slugging percentage.
"He continues to play extremely well," Banister said. "All the reports have been good. Obviously, he is making a strong case for himself. That's what you want."
Heineman is currently serving a three-game suspension from the Pacific Coast League for his role in an altercation at Oklahoma City on Saturday. That had nothing to do with the Rangers' decision on Friday, Banister said.
Rangers beat:
• Chi Chi González, who is coming up on his July 24 anniversary of undergoing Tommy John surgery, is throwing off the mound in Surprise, Ariz. and progressing well.
• Veteran right-hander Edinson Vólquez, who was signed in Spring Training to a Minor League contract, has his Tommy John anniversary on Aug. 4 and is throwing on flat ground in Surprise without any issues. Gonzalez and Volquez aren't expected to pitch this season but should be ready for Spring Training next year.
• Yohander Méndez is scheduled to make his first start for Double-A Frisco on Saturday. He was promoted from Class A Advanced Down East after going 1-2 with a 3.48 ERA in five starts there. Mendez was sent down from the big leagues on June 19 after an off-the-field incident in Kansas City, and the Rangers are pleased with the way he has responded.
"Yohander has a clean slate with the organization," general manager Jon Daniels said. "That was a one-time mistake that won't be held against him. That just gave us the opportunity to approach him about some of the things we want him to focus on. He has been receptive, and it has been good."
• Minor League catcher Jose Trevino had surgery on his left shoulder Monday and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Trevino played in three games with the Rangers earlier this season and was currently at Frisco.