These Texas Rangers stand to receive more playing time while injured players heal
Lineup regulars aren’t immune to injuries during spring training, whether camp is being held in March or July or in Arizona or Texas.
Or both, as is the case this year (and hopefully never again) because of the coronavirus pandemic.
When an injury hits, opportunity knocks for the next player in line.
Knocks have been heard this week at Globe Life Field.
Robinson Chirinos and Willie Calhoun were dinged up Monday during an intrasquad game at summer camp. Calhoun (hip) won’t be on the active roster Opening Day, and while Chirinos might be, he might not available.
Brett Martin tested positive for COVID-19 during pre-camp screening, and fellow left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez injured his left lat muscle during the MLB shutdown.
But it’s not always an injury that creates the need for a capable replacement. Rafael Montero, expected to be the primary setup man to closer Jose Leclerc, won’t be ready July 24 against the Colorado Rockies after his camp arrival and pre-camp training were delayed by the birth of a child.
Those are significant roles that need to be filled. These are the candidates to do so.
Jose Trevino for Chirinos
The Rangers haven’t closed the door on Chirinos being behind the plate for the opener, but chances are he will be on the active roster but not quite ready to resume his role as the Rangers’ primary catcher.
Jose Trevino, though, has emerged as a capable backup. He’s probably on the verge of more than that.
The Rangers were planning to carry three catchers while rosters are expanded, and manager Chris Woodward will have trouble finding playing time for Chirinos, Trevino and veteran Jeff Mathis.
At the very least, Trevino has pulled even with Mathis, who Lance Lynn and Mike Minor preferred pitching to last season. Pitchers, though, have grown to like throwing to Trevino, who also has improved offensively.
“He’s made it hard on me not to play him,” Woodward said. “He’s produced.”
Nick Solak for Calhoun
This one is a layup, though Scott Heineman has been impressive at summer camp.
The Rangers have been looking since last July shortly after acquiring Solak to find him regular at-bats. He was a regular to finish last season while playing third base, and now they Rangers have turned him into an outfielder.
Solak played left field in the minor leagues and will do so for as long as Calhoun is limited by a strained muscle near his right hip.
“His at-bats have been consistent in quality,” Woodward said. “I’ve been dying to find a way to get him regular at-bats. I’d lean toward that.”
Wes Benjamin for Martin
Perhaps the biggest surprise addition to the summer player pool was Benjamin, who started 25 game last season at Triple A Nashville and has made only five relief appearances in the minors.
General manager Jon Daniels, though, said before camp that Benjamin’s stuff might play up as a relief. It did Wednesday, as the left-hander tossed two scoreless innings in an intrasquad game.
The only healthy lefty for the bullpen is Taylor Hearn, who is expected to log multiple innings in his appearances. Benjamin would become more of a specialist, though MLB is still implementing the three-batter-minimum rule for relievers.
“We have some righties that we trust to get lefties out, but we definitely need that lefty in the bullpen to be able to handle some of the tough lefties we have in our division,” Woodward said.
Joe Palumbo for Rodriguez
This one gets tricky for the Rangers, who need to preserve depth in case a starting pitcher needs time on the injured list. Lefties Palumbo and Kolby Allard are the top two candidates should that happen.
Palumbo looks like a better candidate to work in relief because his fastball has more zip and his secondary pitches are a better bullpen fit.
That’s not to say Allard isn’t a candidate, and either one of them could take the role Hearn was expected to fill while he morphs into more of a specialist.
Even if the Rangers need a starter from the player pool, they might not be asked to go seven innings.
“I think we’d be looking it more as a two-, three-inning, maybe four-inning guy we could piggyback another guy with, just because of the length of the roster,” Woodward said. “Early on we have the luxury of those extra bodies that we can piggyback and be creative.”
Committee for Montero
With only 60 games this season, the Rangers don’t have time to wait for relievers to establish roles. Outside of Leclerc at closer, no one else knows when they might be called upon.
That will likely change when Montero is ready to go, but the Rangers will ride the hot hand or find the best matchups for each situation.
Who’s in the committee? Jesse Chavez is the bullpen veteran, but he was injured in spring training and has been hit around at summer camp. Nick Goody is another righty will be in the mix to replace Montero.
Here are two more names to consider: Jimmy Herget and Ian Gibaut.
Herget was terrific in Arizona and is still going strong in summer camp. Gibaut has dominated at Globe Life Field with only one hit allowed in four scoreless innings.
“We don’t have time to sit here and say, ‘OK, my role is this until I lose it,’” Woodward said. “No, everybody’s got to be willing to pitch whenever and however.”
