Day off part of Rangers’ plan to keep Hamilton healthy
Another piece of the puzzle of trying to keep Josh Hamilton healthy the rest of the season fell in place Wednesday when the 2010 American League MVP was out of the Texas Rangers’ starting lineup one day after his first game off the disabled list.
The day off was scheduled before Hamilton was reinstated Tuesday. Manager Jeff Banister said that more days off could be coming as the Rangers try to get Hamilton through the short term while he rebuilds strength and stamina in his left hamstring.
“For me, it’s about the long term,” Banister said. “If there is anything I can do to help keep Josh Hamilton in the lineup … when he needs a day off of his legs, get him off his legs.”
The left-handed-hitting Leonys Martin started in center field and the right-handed-hitting Ryan Rua was in left field against Baltimore left-hander Wei-Yen Chen.
Hamilton insisted that his hamstring was not injured on his sliding catch in the seventh inning Tuesday or as he tagged up and went to third base in the fifth inning on a fly ball to center field.
Hamilton said that he is OK with listening when others think he should get a day off.
“I already knew I had the day off Monday,” he said. “It’s going to be up to Skip and the trainers. I already missed enough time this year. I want to be there for the second-half push.”
Hamilton collected two singles and scored a run Tuesday in his first game since May 31. His parents, Tony and Linda, watched him in person for the first time since 2008 after a years-long period of strained communication.
Hamilton said that his parents have been very supportive as he goes through a divorce, which was finalized recently.
“It’s been important,” he said. “It’s been a tough time for me and my little ones. My parents have always been there. Even though communication has been distant at times, they always told me they’re there for me if I need them.”
Odor sits
Second baseman Rougned Odor, who led all American League players who had at least 50 plate appearances in June with a .391 average, was out of the lineup Wednesday in part because he had dental work earlier in the day.
Banister decided that the combination of the dental work and the need to get extra infielder Hanser Alberto a game led to Odor on the bench. Banister was not against playing Odor against the lefty Chen had there been no procedure.
“We still have to continue to engage those guys on the bench,” Banister said. “How can I ask them to be successful off the bench if I don’t get them some games?”
Odor said that he could have played, and was available off the bench. He has been hitting lefties and righties since being recalled from Triple A Round Rock on June 15, and was riding a five-game hitting streak.
He said that the biggest difference between his first five weeks, when he batted .144 before being demoted, is that he is controlling the strike zone and seeing pitches better.
“I feel good and I’m comfortable when I’m at the plate,” Odor said. “When I was in the minor leagues, I was trying to work a lot on my strike zone. I was swinging at everything. Right now, I have better control.”
Beltre’s house robbed
Third baseman Adrian Beltre confirmed local reports that his house in North Dallas was burglarized June 25, and among the items stolen was his 2011 American League championship ring.
Beltre said that he was told of the break-in during the first inning June 25. His wife and children were in Los Angeles, and he went home after the game to meet with police investigators before departing for the Rangers’ flight to Toronto.
He said that lines to the security system had been cut and that the house had been ransacked. All the damage to the home has been repaired, and he and his family plan to return there after this road trip.
Briefly
▪ Mitch Moreland was named the Rangers’ player of the month in voting by media covering the team. He batted .323 with nine homers and 25 RBIs, the highest single-month totals of his career, to narrowly edge right-hander Yovani Gallardo, who went 2-0 with a 0.54 ERA.
▪ Outfielder Delino DeShields could return this weekend to open an eight-game homestand. He played left field Tuesday for Round Rock and went 1 for 3 with a run, and the reports said that his left hamstring felt fine and he moved around well.
Jeff Wilson, 817-390-7760
This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Day off part of Rangers’ plan to keep Hamilton healthy."