Following his first career major league start, the Rangers optioned pitcher Josh Lindblom to Triple-A Round Rock.

Lindblom went 4 2/3 innings in an 8-2 loss to the Athletics Monday. He allowed four runs on seven hits. Lindblom struck out four and walked two on 88 pitches.

The Rangers are expected to add another pitcher Tuesday. Neal Cotts is one possibilty. 

The Rangers have designated pitcher Derek Lowe for assignment. The Rangers made the move to make room for Josh Lindblom. He was 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA in nine appearances and opponents were hitting .308 off him. The move allows the Rangers to keep Cory Burns in the bullpen.

David Murphy is greeted after his home run

Elvis Andrus and one of his fans

Leonys Martin scores

Mitch Moreland connects

Adrian Beltre’s double falls in

Elvis Andrus at shortstop

Ian Kinsler’s injury has put him on the disabled list. Here is the release just sent out by the Rangers…

Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced this afternoon that the club has placed second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Saturday, with a right intercostal strain.  To take Kinsler’s place on the active roster, the Rangers have recalled infielder Jurickson Profar (#13) from Triple-A Round Rock.

Kinsler did not start the past 2 games due to the injury, although he pinch-ran on Friday vs. Detroit.  He is batting .302 with 7 home runs, 11 doubles, 20 RBI, and 24 runs scored in 40 games for Texas this season.  His 16 multi-hit games are tied for 7th-most in the American League.  The first date he would be eligible to return is June 2.

Profar, 20, will be seeking his first major league action in 2013.  He has spent the entire season with Round Rock, batting .278 (40-144) with 27 runs, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 19 RBI, and 21 walks in 37 games for the Express.  In his last game at Triple-A last night vs. Colorado Springs, he went 3-for-4 with his first career multi-homer game, scoring 3 runs with 3 RBI.  Profar has hit safely in 8 straight for Round Rock at .424 (14-33) with 6 runs, 2 doubles, 3 homers, and 8 RBI in that span.  He has seen action at both shortstop and second base this season.

Profar’s only other major league action came last year with Texas, batting .176 (3-17) with a homer, 2 doubles, and 2 RBI in 9 games.  His last game in a Texas uniform was the 2012 American League Wild Card Game against Baltimore, when he hit a pinch single in the 9th inning.  He became just the 6th teenager ever with a postseason hit.

Elvis Andrus scores a run in the first inning

David Murphy slides into third

Justin Grimm on the mound

Mitch Moreland in his home run trot

The Rangers are 3-0 when Robinson Chirinos starts behind the plate

Defense! Defense! Defense!

Andy Dirks is tagged out at home plate by catcher Geovany Soto after a tremendous throw by Leonys Martin

Leury Garcia lines a single to lead off the eighth.

Ron Washington and the National Anthem

Nick Tepesch

Lance Berkman on second base. The Rangers didn’t have much to smile about offensively.

Elvis Andrus at shortstop

Ian Kinsler pinch-running in the ninth inning

Colby Lewis threw approximately 35 pitches in the bullpen without any problem. He is scheduled to pitch Monday for Double A Frisco on rehab assignment. He’ll likely get that one and two more starts in the Minors before the Rangers assess if he is Major League ready.