Texas Rangers lose game to San Diego Padres, Willie Calhoun to pulled left hamstring
The Texas Rangers are expected to place left fielder Willie Calhoun on the injured list Thursday with a strained left hamstring, and the injury could keep him out for much of the rest of the season.
Calhoun was injured while legging out an infield hit in the 10th inning that gave the Rangers a short-lived lead in a 6-3 loss to the San Diego Padres. The Rangers led 3-2 going to the bottom of the 10th, but Manny Machado hit a walk-off grand slam to send the Rangers to their fourth straight loss.
Calhoun left the game as soon as he was injured. Afterward, manager Chris Woodward said that Calhoun would undergo an MRI exam Thursday after getting evaluated by the Padres’ team doctor.
“It doesn’t look great, to be honest with you,” Woodward said. ‘It looks like a pretty good pull. I don’t know what the severity of it is, but I’m guessing it will probably be a DL.”
Calhoun would hit the IL batting only .172 with no home runs in 58 at-bats. He had a groin strain during summer camp that forced him to miss Opening Day, and in spring training he hit in the face by a 95-mph fastball that left him with a broken jaw.
He also missed time last season with a strained left quadriceps muscle.
The Rangers brought outfielder Adolis Garcia with them on their road trip as a member of the five-man taxi squad, but Scott Heineman could pick up much of Calhoun’s playing time with Shin-Soo Choo serving as the primary designated hitter.
Danny Santana (right forearm) could resume playing center field by the end of next week, which would also give the Rangers more flexibility in the outfield.
If they are looking for a left-handed-hitting outfielder, rookie Leody Taveras could be an option. He’s a switch hitter and premium defender who could give the Rangers a boost at the plate and in center field, where Nick Solak is playing for the first time.
