Rangers calling up Perez to make Saturday start

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers shuffled their rotation and their roster following Thursday's 4-3 victory over Oakland.

Texas will start Martin Perez in Saturday's game against St. Louis, a start that was originally going to right-hander Nick Tepesch. Tepesch will go Sunday and Yu Darvish will start the series opener in New York Tuesday. Darvish was originally slated to start the Sunday series finale against the Cardinals.

Texas will also send Thursday starter Josh Lindblom to Triple-A Round Rock Friday to make room for Mitch Moreland, who will be activated from the disabled list. The Rangers will have to make another roster move Saturday to clear a spot for Perez.

The two candidates to get sent to Round Rock for Perez are lefty reliever Joseph Ortiz and catcher Robinson Chirinos. Chirinos would give the Rangers an extra bat on the bench in the National League park against the Cardinals.

Lindblom has made four starts for the Rangers, going 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA.

"Martin's throwing well," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "We'll get him while he's hot."

Perez has made eight starts for the Express, going 5-1 with a 1.75 ERA. He's allowed just one earned run in his last three starts.

Washington said the Rangers decided to start him Saturday to keep him on his regular schedule. Darvish's next start with six days rest.