Will Rangers Opening Day Center Fielder Be Bubba Thompson?
The Texas Rangers will be without center fielder Leody Taveras for the time being after suffering a low-grade left oblique strain. The hope is that Taveras will heal and be ready for Opening Day at the end of the month.
However, oblique strains are tricky depending on the situation and the individual. The injury news to Taveras potentially opens a spot for center field come March 30 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field.
The Rangers have options for center field. In the past two seasons, Adolis García played 108 games in center. Texas could shift García and create a competition between the two corner outfield spots. The main thought surfacing is allowing Bubba Thompson to play in center to start the season.
Thompson's spring on the stat sheet has been somewhat underwhelming, hitting .143 with an OPS of .464, but he's stolen two bases and played excellent defense. The key, Thompson told Inside the Rangers, is consistency.
"Going in each and every day and get my body right," Thompson said. "As long as I have good-at bats each and every day, I'm in a good spot."
Bubba Thompson spent an abbreviated time in the Major Leagues last season (55 games) with a .265 average and 18 steals. Thompson's speed is a weapon, especially with the larger bases this season. While the competition continues, Thompson is not worried about it.
"All these guys are good, but as long as I go out there and play like I know I can play, everything is going to work out," he said.
The Rangers scratched Thompson from Saturday's contest against the White Sox, but he returned Sunday. For Thompson, it's about doing the things he can control at the plate.
"Make sure my legs are good, keep having good at-bats, and square the ball hard," Thompson said.
Additional options include Travis Jankowski, who made 26 of his 30 starts in 2021 in center field with the Phillies. In his career, 56 percent of his games have come at center field.
The Rangers do appear to have depth in their organization regarding the outfield.
"We have options. That's what's great about having depth," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said.
Bochy added that Evan Carter's chances of playing center field on Opening Day didn't increase with the Taveras injury.
Veterans such as Robbie Grossman and Clint Frazier are also outfield options, with Bochy likely needing to rearrange positions to accommodate.
You can find Alex Plinck on Twitter @aplinckTX.
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