Rangers designated INF/OF Jeff Baker for assignment. The move clears a spot for Matt West on the 40-man roster. It's mostly a procedural move, as Baker was due to be eligible for free agency after the World Series. The 32-year-old batted .279/.360/.545 with 11 homers in 175 plate appearances this season and should latch on somewhere as a right-handed bench bat.

Jeff Baker is currently dealing with a sports hernia, and will be limited to DH and pinch-hitting duties against southpaws for the remainder of the season. The injury may also require the 32-year-old utility player to undergo surgery in the offseason. Despite hitting .282/.353/.557 with 11 homers and 21 RBI in just 149 at-bats on the season, the injury could also cause him to be left off the postseason roster should the Rangers make it.

Rangers activated INF/OF Jeff Baker from the 15-day disabled list. Baker missed a month of action with a sprained right thumb but convinced the Rangers he was ready after three rehab games. He'll return to a .317/.391/.695 batting line over 37 games.

Jeff Baker (thumb) expects to be activated prior to Friday's game. Baker, out since mid-June with a sprained thumb, is 2-for-11 (.182) through three rehab games with Double-A Frisco. He'll return to a .317/.391/.695 batting line over 37 games.

Jeff Baker (thumb) will likely begin a minor league rehab assignment Monday with Double-A Frisco. Baker has been sidelined since mid-June with a sprained thumb, but he was able to resume taking batting practice earlier this week. If all goes well, he could rejoin the Rangers when the second half begins.

Jeff Baker (thumb) took batting practice Thursday. It's the first time he's gone through a full batting practice since landing on the DL with a sprained right thumb. Baker could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Monday. "Once you start hitting, you have to see how it feels tomorrow," Baker said. "If it doesn't bother me taking batting practice, it should move pretty quickly."

Jeff Baker (thumb) took some dry swings on Monday. Baker received a second cortisone shot for his sprained right thumb a week ago. He's feeling much better and seems likely to be ready for a rehab assignment soon.

Jeff Baker received a second cortisone shot on Monday for his sprained right thumb. Baker five swings in the batting cages on Friday but was unable to control the bat head. He's also been given a new splint, which he will remain in for 3-4 days. There's no timetable for his return. "I tried to push it and progress it to see if I could get past that threshold," Baker said. "Off the tee and soft toss was fine, but during (batting practice) I couldn't do it."

Jeff Baker (thumb) said Saturday that there is no timetable for his return. Recovering from a sprained right thumb, Baker is hitting off a tee and doing batting drills, but it doesn't appear that he's close to be activated. He's expected to need a rehab assignment first.

Jeff Baker (thumb) hit off a tee on Tuesday. Baker felt good, but he'll wait to see how his right thumb responds Wednesday before the next step is determined. He's missed the last week with a sprained thumb.