NEW YORK — Since we’ve already taken this too far and ordained the assemblage of rookies and rejects that have helped resurrect the Rangers’ playoff hopes with a nickname, we might as roll with the whole Little Rascals motif.
At least, the Little Rascals have a Texas tie. The original Spanky, now apparently played by mischievous menace Cody Freeman, was portrayed by the late Dallas-born actor George McFarland. Beyond that, maybe we’re stretching. But as long as we are, you know the Little Rascals had a rotating cast, right? Few of them stayed around very long. Who even remembers Chubby and Spud?
You know where this is going, don’t you?
These rascals were born out of necessity, having sprung to life after the Rangers lost half their lineup to injuries in a two-week span. They’ve helped create chaos in the He-Man Astros-Haters Club previously known as the AL West. With a 14-4 run, the Rangers have drawn within two games of Houston, which they visit Monday for a three-game series. But they may not have the run of the house much longer. Their parents, so to speak, are coming home. So what happens when the Rangers start getting players back, which could happen as early as this weekend?
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Let’s take a look at how the returning stars might upend the ensemble players.
Adolis García
Manager Bruce Bochy indicated earlier in the week that García, returning from a strained quadriceps, could be activated sometime before the end of the weekend. The swap-out here would almost certainly be for outfielder Dustin Harris, who was 0 for 4 in his one start since being added a week ago. But he did have a walkoff double in a 4-3 12-inning win over Houston as a late-game sub. He and Alejandro Osuna are both left-handed hitting outfielders and, at the moment, Osuna is on an on-base hot streak.
Sam Haggerty
Haggerty (ankle inflammation) was expected to begin a rehab assignment over the weekend with hopes of being ready for the Houston series. But his game is speed and if the ankle isn’t good enough, then he loses that edge and the Rangers probably don’t activate him. But if he does show he’s healthy, things get a little iffy. Haggerty should replace Michael Helman as a right-handed hitting option in center field. But, let’s be serious. Is anybody replacing Helman at the moment? No, he’s the hot hand. Though he’s a switch-hitter, Haggerty is far more effective from the right than the left. For this reason, it seems like he might replace Dylan Moore, who has put together a .717 OPS in 10 days with the Rangers after being released by Seattle.
Corey Seager
There is some hope that by the time the Rangers get back to Arlington in a week, Seager’s abdominal incisions will be healed enough for him to join the lineup. If the situation remains as it has for the last week, it would seem to squeeze left-handed hitting Rowdy Tellez out of the picture. With Jake Burger on a heater at first base, Tellez isn’t playing against right-handed pitching and has been reduced to a left-handed hitting pinch hitter. But even in that regard, he duplicates what Joc Pederson brings. Pederson is the DH against right-handers, but sits against most lefties. So, he’d be the first lefty pinch hitter off the bench. Tellez has just two starts since Burger has been activated from the IL. And he’s been on a 1-for-15 skid since late August.
Marcus Semien
There is no guarantee that Semien will be ready to return from a broken bone in his foot before the end of the season, but he’s also not ruling it out. Positionally, he’d take time away from Freeman, but Freeman has been the most energetic of the rascals and has had a number of big hits despite a .694 OPS. If Seager and Semien return, the Rangers also won’t need Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran to play as much in the infield, which makes them viable outfield replacements. So, they could keep Freeman and return Osuna to the minors. Osuna has a .697 OPS in the Rangers’ 18-game hot stretch, but he’s had a .412 OBP and has been one of the toughest at-bats. But that’s when he has started. When he’s been asked to come off the bench, he’s struggled more, as is often the case with young players.
Nothing is ever cut-and-dried. There are other complications to consider. Moore and Tellez can’t be optioned to the minors and would have to be taken off the roster and offered free agency if not on the active roster or the IL. That may make the Rangers tilt more toward moves involving players who do have minor league options (Freeman, Helman, Osuna and Harris) because they’d certainly like to hold on to as many options as possible for potential playoff scenarios.
Speaking of which, making the postseason would also have an impact on the rascals. Once the playoffs start, active rosters, currently at 28, would revert to 26. To carry a 14-man group of position players would require going with only 12 pitchers. The Rangers currently have 14 pitchers and 14 players on the roster. The first round of the playoffs is only a best-of-3 series, which makes it easier to move two starters to the bullpen and trim the bullpen by a couple of lower-leverage arms. But, after that, teams usually want a full allotment of pitchers.
Just another crazy turn of this crazy season: The Rangers might reach the playoffs thanks, in large part, to a group of rookies and in-season additions, then consider taking them off the active roster.
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