Rangers notes: Players support better safety after fan struck by foul ball

The fan who was struck in the head by a foul ball Friday night at Comerica Park was released from an area hospital Saturday morning with support from Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers players that more needs to be done for fan safety.

Anthony Gose lined a Keone Kela fastball into the first row over the Tigers’ dugout and struck the fan. She stayed on the ground for some seven minutes before being taken to the hospital. She was wearing a neck brace and had a large knot on the side of her face, but she was alert.

Kela was one of several players who called the incident unfortunate. Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander sent out a tweet that Major League Baseball needs to address fan safety. Left-hander Derek Holland, the Rangers’ representative to the players’ association, also said the topic needs to be broached.

“That’s something I want to bring up,” Holland said. “Last night was scary.”

Catcher Chris Gimenez favors extending the netting behind home plate to the end of the dugouts.

“At least,” he said. “That’s tough because as a fan of the game, no body likes seeing through the screen and you’re right there on the field, but I think it’s time. You see it happen all too often.”

Rest for Perez

The Rangers will use the Monday off day to juggle their rotation in an effort to give Martin Perez eight days of rest between starts.

The left-hander is healthy after his first seven starts since coming off the disabled list following a 14-month recovery from Tommy John surgery, but the Rangers want to manage his innings.

Holland will start Tuesday against Toronto and be followed by right-handers Colby Lewis and Yovani Gallardo. Cole Hamels will start Friday against Baltimore before Perez pitches Saturday and Holland goes Aug. 30 to end the six-game homestand.

“We’re going to unplug Martin, skip his start, essentially in a situation where 14 months of recovery from Tommy Johns, we can control the innings,” Banister said. “There comes a point where you have to look at the number of innings. We’d already planned that before the last start.”

Perez logged 97 pitches in five innings Thursday, allowing three runs but struggling with his location. He has pitched 37 1/3 innings since returning July 17.

Rosales to be released

Infielder Adam Rosales declined an outright assignment to Triple A Round Rock after clearing waivers, and the Rangers will request unconditional release waivers Sunday.

Rosales was designated for assignment Wednesday as the Rangers cleared a spot on the 40-man roster as Holland came off the 60-day disabled list. Rosales finished the season batting .228 in 114 at-bats, but he hadn’t started a game since Aug. 5.

Wolverines visit

Banister, Holland, Hamels and Prince Fielder made the 45-minute drive to Ann Arbor to meet with Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh and watch the Wolverines practice.

Harbaugh gave Banister a few minutes to talk to the team, and he relayed to the players the same message he gives to Rangers players.

“It’s about brotherhood. It’s about playing for each other,” Banister said. “It’s about the sacrifices that you do make and grit and grind that you do go through on a daily basis, and how you learn from your near misses so that you’re stronger and you have the opportunity to overcome.”

Banister and a group of coaches and support staff visited Seattle Seahawks camp Aug. 6 and spent time with coach Pete Carroll. Banister said that each visit he has with a fellow coach makes him better at his job.

“We are teaching, coaching and motivating athletes,” Banister said. “It may be a different sport, but it’s still a team sport.”

This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Rangers notes: Players support better safety after fan struck by foul ball."