OAKLAND, Calif. -- After Texas Rangers rookie outfielder Delino DeShields got his first career hit in his major-league debut Wednesday night against the Oakland A's, he made sure to keep the ball.
DeShields' father, also named Delino, has a spot in his trophy case where it will go, next to the ball from his first big-league hit 25 years ago Thursday. DeShields' father played 13 seasons in the big leagues for five teams.
"My dad said he wanted to have it, put it next to his first hit," DeShields said. "He got four his first game."
DeShields' father went 4-for-6 with a double on April 9, 1990, for the Montreal Expos against St. Louis. He's currently the manager for Triple-A Louisville, a Cincinnati Reds farm team.
The Rangers rookie entered the game Wednesday in the bottom of the seventh in center field. He had one put-out in the eighth then beat out an infield single in the top of the eighth.
"Actually to me it was just baseball," DeShields said. "I love it. I wasn't nervous. It was just something I was comfortable doing. I've been around the environment because of my father, who played all that time in the big leagues. I was just taking it all in."
Right-handed reliever Logan Verrett also made his major-league debut Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits over 2 2/3 innings.
"It was a pretty incredible experience," Verrett said. "I was pretty nervous warming up in the bullpen for the first 10 or so pitches, then I finally calmed down. When I came in I felt pretty calm and prepared."
Roster moves: The Rangers claimed outfielder Alex Hassan off waivers from Oakland and assigned him to Triple-A Round Rock. To make room for Hassan on their 40-man roster, the Rangers moved left-hander Matt Harrison to the 60-day disabled list from the 15-day DL.
This marks the fourth time Hassan has been claimed off waivers since the end of last season -- twice by the A's and once by the Baltimore Orioles and Rangers.
The A's designated Hassan for assignment Wednesday to clear a spot on their 40-man roster when they signed free agent outfielder Cody Ross. Hassan, a right-handed hitter, batted .287 with eight home runs and 55 RBI in 114 games with Triple-A Pawtucket last season. He made his major-league debut, going 1-for-8 in three games for Boston.
Harrison is recovering from spinal fusion surgery he underwent on June 3, 2014.