Odor back with Rangers after suspension for Bautista punch

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Rougned Odor was back in the Texas Rangers' lineup Saturday night after finishing his seven-game suspension for punching Jose Bautista.

Odor was batting fifth and at second base for the Rangers against Seattle after being reinstated from the suspended list.

"It was difficult. I was in my house watching the game on my TV, and it was really hard for me," Odor said. "I'm just happy to be with my team again."

Major League Baseball penalized Odor for slugging Bautista on May 15 in a testy game against Toronto.

Texas also recalled right-handed reliever Tom Wilhelmsen from Triple-A Round Rock and optioned infielder Hanser Alberto to that minor league team.

Jurickson Profar hit safely in all seven games filling in as the starting second baseman in Odor's absence. Profar remained in the leadoff spot against the Mariners as the designated hitter, providing a break for struggling Prince Fielder.

Manager Jeff Banister said Profar has played well and that the Rangers will find opportunities for him to keep playing, though it might not be every day.

Fielder went into Saturday night's game in an 0-for-12 slide and batting .187 with three homers in his 53 games this season.

The Rangers also said right-hander Nick Tepesch, who was 4-2 in 11 starts at Round Rock, had requested and was granted his unconditional release.

Tepesch was 9-17 with a 4.56 ERA in 42 games for the Rangers from 2013-14, his only major league seasons. He had re-signed with the organization on a minor league free agent deal in January after not being tendered a major league contract for 2016.