Blanks (back) will join the Rangers on Friday in Kansas City, and he may be activated from the disabled list as soon as Sunday, the Dallas Morning News reports. With Jake Smolinski struggling, the Rangers have sped up Blanks' timeline, as they need a right-handed batter to platoon with Mitch Moreland at first base. Blanks probably won't be activated until Tuesday's game against the A's, but there is some chance he returns Sunday.