Rangers activate1B Nathaniel Lowe

The Texas Rangers activated first baseman Nathaniel Lowe Saturday and designated first baseman Jared Walsh for assignment.

The team also placed catcher Jonah Heim on the bereavement list and recalled catcher Sam Huff from Triple-A Round Rock.

Lowe, who suffered an oblique strain and missed the season's first 20 games, was in the lineup against the Atlanta Braves, batting fifth.

It's a big boost for the defending World Series champions, as Lowe produced strong offensive numbers over the past two seasons.

He hit 17 homers, knocked in 82 runs and hit .262 last year after a 27-home run season in 2022, in which he hit .302.

Walsh was hitting .226 through 17 games with the Rangers.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told reporters before the game that Lowe would have no restrictions on his playing time.

"He's ready to go," Bochy said. "We would not bring him up if he wasn't. ... It's great to have him back. He's one of our guys. We've missed him. Just what he brings to the clubhouse."