Duran up

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Texas has purchased the contract of infielder German Duran and will start him at third base Thursday night, opting to keep Hank Blalock off the Toronto turf after he exited Wednesday night's game with lower back discomfort.

The active roster move to accommodate Duran's arrival will apparently be the placement of outfielder Marlon Byrd on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left knee. As for the 40-man roster, which Duran was not on (as he didn't yet need to occupy a spot this winter for Rule 5 purposes), a player will need to be removed to make room for Duran. While that could mean that someone is in danger of being designated for assignment, there's also the possibility that a player like Thomas Diamond or Travis Metcalf could be shifted to the 60-day disabled list, which would clear the necessary roster spot.

ADDENDUM: Diamond has been placed on the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Duran.