Rangers notes: Gallo makes first start in center field
Texas Rangers rookie Joey Gallo in center field?
It’s happening.
The third baseman who was called up three weeks ago started for the first time in center field Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Not only had Gallo never played center professionally, but he had never played it growing up, either.
“Um, never,” Gallo said before Saturday’s game.
Leonys Martin, who started the previous 22 games in center, has been slumping. Manager Jeff Banister is without injured outfielders Josh Hamilton and Delino DeShields. Both are expected to return from rehab assignments soon, Hamilton on Monday in Baltimore and DeShields perhaps later next week.
Banister felt Martin needed a day off, perhaps several, to snap out of a 2-for-37 slump.
Martin has lost his way at the plate from an approach perspective, Banister said. The left-hitting Martin has been pulling most pitches, an obvious sign that his approach is out of sorts.
Bench time might do him some good, especially against left-hander Matt Boyd, who made his major league debut Saturday.
“There are times when it’s more of a challenge for guys. Sometimes you’ve got to take a step back and exhale and then re-engage,” Banister said. “I just felt like it was the appropriate time.”
Martin entered the game defensively in the sixth and went 1 for 2 as Gallo shifted to left field.
Gallo has taken fly balls in center during batting practice but had only played left field six times for the Rangers. In the minors he had only played at third base (his natural position), first and six games in left earlier this season for Double A Frisco prior to joining the Rangers on June 2.
“I feel like he’s athletic enough to go out there and play center field,” Banister said. “I don’t think [Rogers Centre] is any more challenging than any other center field.”
Fielder’s elite company
Prince Fielder hit his 300th career homer Friday night, becoming the 138th player to do so.
Even more rare, Fielder, along with his father, Cecil, joined Bobby and Barry Bonds as the only father-son duos to each hit 300 or more homers. Cecil Fielder hit 309 in his career.
Fielder forgot that it was his 300th until Adrian Beltre congratulated him in the dugout.
“It’s cool. I’d like to get some more,” he said.
He was even less aware of the record he shares with his dad and the Bonds duo.
“That’s pretty good company,” he said.
Fielder’s mark is especially impressive when considering he was limited to 42 games in 2014 after season-ending neck surgery.
“That’s a terrific milestone for any player,” Banister said. “Where he was last year, not playing, to get to 300, the question of whether or not he would have the opportunity to do what he’s doing now.”
Fielder had his major league-leading 32nd multi-hit game on Saturday. He had 37 hits total in his truncated 2014 season.
Key stat
17 Bunt singles for the Rangers, including Elvis Andrus’ leadoff bunt to start the second inning Saturday. Texas leads the majors in bunt singles.
Stefan Stevenson, 817-390-7760
Twitter: @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published June 27, 2015 at 11:29 AM with the headline "Rangers notes: Gallo makes first start in center field."