ARLINGTON -- The Rangers placed right-handed pitcher Doug Fister on the disabled list with a strained right knee and expect him to be out longer than the minimum of 10 days.
"I haven't gotten the complete report, but based on my conversations with Doug and the training staff, I don't foresee it being just 10 days," manager Jeff Banister said.
The Rangers called up infielder Hanser Alberto to replace Fister. The Rangers are off Monday and Thursday, so they won't need a fifth starter until June 19 against the Royals.
That's the day Fister is eligible to come off the disabled list, but the Rangers aren't anticipating him being ready. The three pitchers who are on the 40-man roster and have been in the big leagues earlier this season are right-handers Austin Bibens-Dirkx and Ariel Jurado and left-hander Yohander Mendez. All are candidates for that spot.
Banister said the Rangers could also consider veteran right-hander Yovani Gallardo, who is pitching at Triple-A Round Rock but is not on the 40-man roster. He is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his last six starts for Round Rock. The Rangers signed him to a Minor League deal in April after he was released by the Reds.
"Gallardo has thrown the ball well lately," Banister said. "A lot of it comes down to who is available at the time."
Alberto was with the Rangers from May 15 to June 2 and returns to give the Rangers an extra bench player. That could be valuable during the two-game Interleague series with the Dodgers that begins Tuesday in Los Angeles, considering the lack of a designated hitter.
"The extra bench guy gives us versatility," Banister said. "We'll be able to double-switch, gives us a lot of flexibility on the roster. [Isiah] Kiner-Falefa can move all over, and Alberto can do the same."
Fister came out of his start Friday in the sixth inning when the knee started bothering him. This is the second time he has been on the disabled list this season. He was on the disabled list from April 10-25 with a strained right hip and is 1-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 starts.