PHOENIX – Adolis García will not go on the injured list. At least not now.
Despite being diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain in his left quadriceps, a significant soft-tissue injury, the Rangers’ decision to hold off on an IL move is two-fold.
First, they’d like to hold out hope that he could be available, at least to pinch hit, over the weekend against a Houston team he’s historically owned. Second, they don’t really have any other options on the 40-man roster to replace him.
President of Baseball Operations Chris Young offered a positive update on Corey Seager’s progress from an appendectomy last week, but he’s still probably at least 10 days away. Outfielder Sam Haggerty is starting to increase stress on his ankle, but he wouldn’t be an option until next week, at the earliest.
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The only active position player on the 40-man roster not in the majors: Infielder Justin Foscue, who is 3 for-51 (.059) in his major league career. He’s not considered a viable option.
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“We’re gonna wait a day or so and see how he recovers from this, but it looks like he’s going to be down at least a few days,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “With our roster expanded now [to 28], we have four bench players still, so we’re covered. When you think about somebody like García and what he brings, you know, it’s worth it to wait a couple of extra days.”
Of note: García’s numbers against Houston, which currently leads the Rangers by 4 ½ games in the AL West. Beginning Wednesday, the Rangers play the Astros six times in a 13-game stretch.
Since the start of the 2023 ALCS, of which García was the eventual MVP, he is a .284/.325/.529/.854 hitter in 27 games against Houston. He has eight homers in 102 at-bats.
García had also been on a recent hot streak, regardless of opponent. In the nine games leading up to his ninth-inning injury Monday, he was hitting .368 with a 1.032 OPS, a pair of homers and four doubles.
“You’re talking about a guy that’s been playing really well, swinging the bat really well,” Bochy said. “That’s your cleanup hitter. That’s why you you want to give him a little bit of time.”
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