Rangers regulars Lucroy, Desmond get day off

Jonathan Lucroy and Ian Desmond were out of the Texas Rangers’ lineup Tuesday against the Houston Astros, and Adrian Beltre got another game at designated hitter.

At first glance, it looked like manager Jeff Banister might be taking advantage of the Rangers’ 9 1/2 -game cushion over the Seattle Mariners entering Tuesday’s play in the American League West.

“I don’t call it that,” Banister said. “We have to win ballgames. We have not won the opportunity to do anything else than play for today.”

Desmond was off after starting 39 consecutive games and 130 of 132. In the middle of that was a trip to San Diego for the All-Star Game, where players have a busy schedule instead of days at the beach.

Lucroy said that he is fine after blocking a fastball with his stomach Monday night and getting hit in the head with a bat on Jason Castro’s backswing. But he caught all 12 innings of the Rangers’ 4-3 win and had to block what seemed like a few dozen pitches in the dirt.

“I’ve been hit a lot harder than that,” said Lucroy, who entered in the seventh inning.

He also said that he and Banister have discussed getting more rest late in the season in addition to the Rangers’ three remaining off days. Postseason series come with built-in travel days, so theoretically Lucroy could start every game in a five- or seven-game series, and rest over the final three weeks could be a boon.

“I’m in support of whatever decision he makes,” Lucroy said. “We still have to get to the playoffs, so I’m not really thinking of that until we get to it.”

Desmond said that he would prefer to keep on playing. He has played in 143 games, starting 136 of them, and said that he isn’t feeling fatigued. The expectation is that Desmond will be in the lineup until the Rangers clinch.

Jeffress update

Lucroy said that he spoke on the phone Wednesday with right-handed reliever Jeremy Jeffress, who is at a Houston-area treatment facility after being arrested last month on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Dallas.

Lucroy, Jeffress’ teammate in A ball in the Milwaukee organization and again in the majors with the Brewers, said that Jeffress is doing well in his recovery and wants to pitch again this season.

“I don’t know what the plan is, but he told me he’s getting better and on the path to recovery,” Lucroy said. “He wants to come back. This is what he does. This is his job, and he misses being with the guys.”

The Rangers said that Jeffress would be away the team for around 30 days when he entered treatment in late August. He will not be suspended by Major League Baseball and is eligible to pitch in the postseason.

Holland to start

The Rangers decided late Tuesday after their 3-2 victory that left-hander Derek Holland would start Wednesday in the series finale rather than Yu Darvish as they try to line up their rotation for the postseason.

Darvish was bumped to Saturday so that he can pitch behind Cole Hamels, who will pitch Friday to open a three-game series against Oakland. The move would allow each starter to pitch three more times this season, including Sept. 28 and Sept. 30 for the final time before the postseason.

Colby Lewis will pitch Sunday.

Briefly

▪  Right-hander Tony Barnette (oblique) played catch without discomfort for a second straight day but hasn’t been told when he might throw off a mound. He doesn’t expect to have any issues ramping back up once he returns.

▪  Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo (broken left forearm) played catch to 120 feet and swung a fungo bat at full effort without any issues. He expects to get an X-ray Thursday or Friday and beginning hitting off a tee if the bone is healing properly.

This story was originally published September 13, 2016 at 8:09 PM with the headline "Rangers regulars Lucroy, Desmond get day off."