Texas’ Gonzalez Is Put on DL With Leg Injury

Juan Gonzalez was put on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a strained right calf, a move that could hamper attempts by the Texas Rangers to trade the two-time American League most valuable player before next week’s deadline.

The move is retroactive to Sunday, a day after Gonzalez left the Rangers’ game at Tampa Bay after being injured while running the bases. He won’t be eligible for activation until Aug. 4.

Manager Buck Showalter said Gonzalez wouldn’t be ready to play again for at least a week. But Showalter doesn’t believe that will make it impossible to trade the slugger, who is batting .294 with 24 home runs and 70 runs batted in.

“He’s going to be healthy and ready to go shortly,� Showalter said. “There’s some reason to be optimistic about it still happening.�

The Rangers have made it clear that they don’t plan to re-sign Gonzalez, who is eligible for free agency after this season. Texas and Montreal agreed to a tentative trade, but Gonzalez used his no-trade clause to block that deal.

Gonzalez has said he would be open-minded about possible trades but has indicated he doesn’t want to change leagues or go to a team that plays home games on artificial turf.

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Right-hander Chin-hui Tsao is scheduled to start for Colorado against Milwaukee on Friday night and become the first pitcher from Taiwan in the major leagues.

Tsao, 22, was called up from double-A Tulsa on Tuesday after left-hander Denny Neagle was put on the 15-day disabled list because of an elbow injury.

Tsao was 11-4 with a 2.46 earned-run average and a Texas League-high 125 strikeouts.

“Maybe the right time is now. He’s a kid who has shown special skills who you have to continue to challenge,� Manager Clint Hurdle said.

Dodger outfielder Chin-Feng Chen became the first major league player from Taiwan last September when he made his debut at Colorado.

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Former Cleveland Indian pitcher Charles Nagy was hired by the team as a special assistant to General Manager Mark Shapiro.