Rangers hope change of scenery brings out best in Carlos Gomez
Thin on veteran outfielders after losing Shin-Soo Choo to a broken left forearm last week, the Texas Rangers signed free-agent outfielder Carlos Gomez to a minor-league deal Saturday.
The Rangers will pay Gomez the prorated league minimum, which will work out to about $110,000 for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old will report to Triple A Round Rock on Sunday and get a few games under him before possibly being added to the major-league roster Thursday to open a key 10-game homestand against Cleveland, Seattle and Houston.
The Rangers still believe Gomez is a talented player who was one of the game’s best outfielders as recently as last season. General manager Jon Daniels said that this is a low-risk signing that could play big dividends down the stretch.
“We signed him with the hope that he can help us in the big leagues,” Daniels said. “Probably sooner than later given where we are on the calendar. We want to take a look at it before too much time passes.”
Daniels said it was too early to tell the role that Gomez would fill, either as an everyday player or in a platoon. Daniels did say, however, that Gomez won’t play center field.
Gomez was designated for assignment Aug. 10 by the Astros and given his outright release Friday after batting .210 with 100 strikeouts in 295 at-bats this season.
Daniels said that a change in scenery might help Gomez, who was an All-Star in 2013 and 2014 with Milwaukee before the Brewers traded him to Houston last summer.
We’re taking a chance on him thinking he’s better than his most recent performance.
Rangers GM Jon Daniels on signing Carlos Gomez
“The way we’re looking at it is he’s an extremely talented player who is having a down year,” Daniels said. “He’s 30 years old; he’s still in his physical prime. Sometimes trades don’t work out the way the acquiring club intends. We’re taking a chance on him thinking he’s better than his most recent performance.”
Choo suffered a broken arm Monday and underwent surgery Wednesday after being struck by a fastball from Ross Detwiler. Catcher Robinson Chirinos had a similar injury in April and missed 60 days.
Holland on Tuesday
All that Derek Holland needs to do in order to start for the Rangers on Tuesday at Cincinnati is play catch Sunday with no soreness in his left-shoulder, manager Jeff Banister said.
Holland threw a bullpen session Saturday with no issues. If he is given the start, right-hander Yu Darvish would pitch Wednesday on six days’ rest, two more than normal.
“If he’s able to come out of it OK, no ill-effect on the arm, we’re probably leaning toward him making the start the first day in Cincinnati,” Banister said. “There’s still time between now and then. He’s still got to hit all the measures to do that. He’s definitely the front-runner.”
Holland would need to be activated from the 60-day disabled list, which would necessitate a spot on the 40-man roster. The Rangers could either designate a player for assignment or place Choo on the 60-day disabled list if they feel he won’t be ready in time for a potential postseason berth.
I feel great. It was a really good bullpen. Now, I’ve just got to wait the process out.
Rangers left-hander Derek Holland
Gomez will also need to be added to the 40-man roster if the Rangers decide to purchase his Round Rock contract.
Holland made two rehab starts, reaching 90 pitches after the second one last week. Banister said that Holland would probably be limited to 95 pitches after not pitching since June 20.
“I feel great,” Holland said. “It was a really good bullpen. Now, I’ve just got to wait the process out.”
Jeff Wilson: 817-390-7760, @JeffWilson_FWST
This story was originally published August 20, 2016 at 7:11 PM with the headline "Rangers hope change of scenery brings out best in Carlos Gomez."