Rangers’ Jeffress out as MLB looks into arrest

Texas Rangers reliever Jeremy Jeffress remained away from the team Saturday while Major League Baseball looked into his arrest on a drunken-driving charge.

Jeffress was put on MLB’s restricted list Friday, hours after he was booked into the Dallas County jail on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Thad Levine, the team’s assistant general manager, said the players’ union was working closely with the commissioner’s office, along with Jeffress and his agent, to “determine a best course of action moving forward.” Levine said he didn’t know the timeframe for a decision.

Jeffress, 28, was put on MLB’s restricted list Friday and could face a suspension. Jeffress was twice suspended while in the minor leagues for violating drug rules, for 50 games in 2007 and 100 games in 2009.

He came to Texas with catcher Jonathan Lucroy from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade Aug. 1. Briefly: The Mariners placed right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen on the 15-day disabled list with lower back spasms and selected right-hander Dan Altavilla from Double-A Jackson, and former A’s reliever Pat Venditte, who throws with either hand, was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma. Seattle also recalled infielder Dae-Ho Lee from Tacoma, while outfielder Norichika Aoki and infielder Mike Freeman were optioned to the minor-league club . ... The Tigers activated shortstop Jose Iglesias, out since Aug. 12 with a left hamstring strain, from the 15-day DL. Detroit designated outfielder Alex Presley for assignment.