Rangers OF Leody Taveras Out With Injury
Texas Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras is out with a low-grade oblique strain, an injury that could put his availability for Opening Day in jeopardy.
Rangers general manager Chris Young said Monday in Surprise that the more would be know about Taveras' condition in as soon as a week.
At that point, the Rangers would have a better idea of the center fielder’s availability for Opening Day against Philadelphia on March 30 and plan accordingly.
“I think over the next seven to 10 days we'll get a sense of how he's feeling, what activity he can tolerate and how fast we can build him back up,” Young said “He's had a great spring thus far. He's looked great. He's in a good spot.
"We certainly want to make sure we get him the necessary at-bats and build him up to be ready for the regular season. So I think it's too early to determine that, but in the next week we should know more.”
Young said that Taveras noticed the strain while he was in the batting cage before Sunday's game. The Rangers scratched him from the game.
Young didn't get into specifics about what the Rangers might do if Taveras is not ready for Opening Day. He was asked directly if they might move Adolis García to center field, and he said that would be an option. García played center field last season before Taveras was called up from Triple-A Round Rock.
The Rangers have started Bubba Thompson in center field several times this spring as the Rangers work to improve his versatility. Young also mentioned that Robbie Grossman has experience in right field should the Rangers need to move García. Grossman has started more game in left field than any other Rangers player in Spring Training.
“We have multiple good defensive center field options,” Young said.
The Rangers started Taveras at Triple-A last season to allow him to get consistent at-bats. By June, his production was enough to earn him a call-up to Arlington.
In 99 games, Taveras batted .261/.309/.366.675 with 39 runs, 14 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 34 RBI. He struck out 88 times and walked 21 times. He stole 11 bases and was caught stealing five times. He played 93 of his 95 games in center field with a .991 fielding percentage and just two errors.
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