Texas Rangers manager thought Joey Gallo was wronged in derby, proud of rookie’s hustle
If he had been in Denver, Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward would have called for a review.
Woodward was joking, of course, but Joey Gallo’s uncounted 20th home run in Monday’s Home Run Derby at Coors Field looked good to Woodward.
Instead, Gallo was eliminated 20-19 in the first round. He just need a little bit more time, Woodward said.
“I think it was more of just getting into a rhythm and getting into a flow,” Woodward said of Gallo’s slow start. “You saw at the end he started to get it. I think if he had another minute he would have probably hit another 15 homers.”
The Rangers begin a 10-game road trip Friday with three against the Toronto Blue Jays at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York. The Blue Jays have played home games in Buffalo this season because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions still in effect in Canada. The team hopes to return to Rogers Centre in Toronto in a few weeks.
Woodward said Gallo doesn’t have a long swing despite his size.
“He’s actually got a pretty short swing,” he said. “Joey doesn’t have a whole lot of moving pieces. He’s got a powerful swing, but it’s short to the ball, which is not typical. He’s a rhinoceros, man. He’s super strong and not an average human.”
Woodward was happy to see rookie Adolis Garcia leg out a double in his second All-Star Game at-bat Tuesday. It perfectly represented his team, he said.
“That was cool. That’s how we play. We always stress the importance of getting out of the batter’s box, running the bases hard, as we do every day,” Woodward said during a team workout Thursday at Globe Life Field. “To see him do it in the All-Star Game was pretty neat. It was cool for the team to see that. It doesn’t matter what game we’re playing in, we’re going to be hustling the whole time.”
Injury updates on Trevino, King
Catcher Jose Trevino, who has been on the injured list since July 1 with a right forearm contusion, is expected to begin a rehab assignment Friday or Saturday with Double A Frisco.
Left-hander John King, who has been on the IL with shoulder inflammation retroactive to July 7, is close to being available. King likely won’t be used until the Rangers’ fifth game after the All-Star break, Woodward said.
This story was originally published July 15, 2021 at 5:00 PM.
