Is it finally Jose Trevino’s chance to put mark on Texas Rangers’ catching situation?
The key moment in the Texas Rangers’ winning eighth-inning rally Wednesday was a bloop single by No. 9 hitter Jeff Mathis.
Ordinarily, a pinch hitter could have replaced Mathis, who in his 16 MLB seasons has managed to hit only .195. With the bases loaded, as they were when he delivered his blooper, he would be replaced 99 out of 100 times.
But manager Chris Woodward didn’t remove Mathis because, well, he couldn’t. Robinson Chirinos was unavailable to take an at-bat or to catch even an inning, and the Rangers didn’t have a third catcher.
They solved their catching shortcoming Friday by placing Chirinos on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday, with a sprained right ankle and replacing him on the active roster with catcher Jose Trevino.
Trevino’s second stint on the roster might last only until Aug. 21, when Chirinos can first come off the IL. Trevino will share duties with Mathis, but could earn more time if it’s apparent he will help the Rangers more.
“I just want to win,” Trevino said. “I’m here to help the team win. Whatever I can do to help the team — if it’s me going out and playing defense, if it’s me going out and getting four hits, me helping out Mathis, me helping out Chirinos, helping out the bullpen, anything like that.”
Mathis started Friday night’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies, catching Lance Lynn at Coors Field, and will catch again Sunday. Trevino will start Saturday.
At 37, Mathis’ workload will be monitored.
“It’s just because of Mathis’ age and he hasn’t been playing every day,” Woodward said. “It’s unfair to ask him to do that now. ... I’m looking forward to watching these guys compete, though. Jose’s earned it. He’s been awesome for us since spring began and since last year.”
Trevino made the Opening Day roster but played in only two games (one start) behind Chirinos and Mathis before being optioned to the alternate camp Aug. 6, when all MLB teams were required to pare their rosters from 30 players to 28.
Trevino spent a week with the alternate player pool, during which time he faced live pitching daily. He made significant changes to his swing and his approach with the goals of making contact more often and making harder contact.
However, Trevino was one of the pleasant surprises of spring training in Arizona (before a finger injury sidelined him) and, again, in summer camp. He has developed a better relationship with the pitching staff, in particular starters Lynn and Mike Minor.
His defense is not in question. He was twice awarded Gold Gloves in the minor leagues.
“I think Trevino’s earned a right to get a better look,” Woodward said. “I like where he’s at. With the live ABs on the other side, he’s in a really good place right now. I envision, if he starts to hit really well he might get some more playing time.”
Chirinos sprained his right ankle in summer camp as outfielder Scott Heineman slid into the plate as Chirinos took a throw for a force out. He missed around a week but was behind the plate on Opening Day.
But he injured his left ankle earlier this week to further limit him.
Woodward believes the lingering right ankle sprain has contributed to Chirinos’ lackluster offensive start to the season. Add in the left ankle, and simply he needs time off to heal.
Chirinos, who signed in the offseason as a free agent, is batting only .129 and has not hit a home run in 31 at-bats.
“I think it’s the best. Robbie agrees,” Woodward said. “He needs to get fully healthy. He wasn’t contributing like he wanted to, but that had a lot to do with his health. If we can get him back to full health, we’ll get the version of Robbie that we envisioned and that he wants to be.”
