ARLINGTON -- The Rangers on Tuesday acquired third baseman Kyle Kubitza from the Angels for cash considerations. Kubitza will take right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen's spot on the 40-man roster and report to Triple-A Round Rock.
Kubitza was born in Arlington and attended nearby Colleyville Heritage High, approximately 20 minutes from Globe Life Park. A standout at Texas State, he was selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2011 Draft.
When Kubitza was traded by the Braves to the Angels in January 2015, he was regarded as the Angels' possible third baseman of the future, but he fell out of favor and was designated for assignment on June 13.
Kubitza batted .194 with one RBI and no extra-base hits in 36 at-bats with the Angels last season in his only career stint in Majors.
Rangers beat
• Right-hander A.J. Griffin is likely to be activated from the disabled list and start the series opener against the Red Sox on Friday as long as he feels good coming out of his bullpen session on Tuesday.
"As long as he comes out clean, he's probably the guy," manager Jeff Banister said.
• Banister met with Gloria Oates, the wife of late Rangers manager Johnny Oates, and his daughter, Jenny, and her three children, in his office before Tuesday's game. Oates managed the 1996 American League West championship team, the first to make the playoffs in franchise history, which was honored before the game against the Reds.
"I just wanted to express to her and her family what an honor it is to sit in this seat," Banister said. "I think everybody understands and knows I respect this position, and the men who have held this position, and how honored I am to carry it on."
• Rangers dedicate Oates Field
• Center fielder Ian Desmond is likely to skip Wednesday's series finale against the Reds and get his first day off since April 17. Ryan Rua is expected to start in his place. Rua has made one career appearance in center field, on June 13 against the A's.