Rangers activate OF Andruw Jones before doubleheader in Cleveland

Rangers activate OF Andruw Jones

CLEVELAND — The Texas Rangers activated outfielder Andruw Jones from the 15-day disabled list ahead of a doubleheader Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians.

Jones has been sidelined since Aug. 24 with a strained left hamstring. He was not in the lineup for the first game, but is expected to be the designated hitter in the nightcap against Indians left-hander Aaron Laffey.

“He’s that right-handed bat we need against left-handers,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “Teams want to stack lefties against us and we’ve been without him for a while. It’s nice to get him back, and hopefully he’ll give us a lift.”

Jones played three games at Double-A Frisco on a rehab assignment and went 2 for 9.

In 74 games before the injury, the 32-year-old hit .217 with 17 homers and 41 RBIs in his first season in the AL.

The five-time All-Star signed with Texas in February after 13 years in the NL, the first 12 with the Atlanta Braves. In 1,910 career games, he has 388 homers, 1,172 RBIs and a .258 batting average.