Banister sets record for ejections by Rangers rookie manager

Rangers manager Jeff Banister had no preconceived ideas about how his ejection rate would look in his rookie season.

“I’m not making a big deal out of ejections,” said Banister, the day after he was ejected for the fifth time, tied for the most in the American League and the most ever by a Rangers rookie manager. “I can’t control what other people think, say or do. Reality is they are a part of the game. I’m going to stand up for our players.”

“You don’t go into a season thinking, ‘oh, I’m gonna get ejected,’ ” he said. “I think we’re make a little bit too much out of an ejection.”

Friday night, he went on the field in the second inning seeking clarification on whether a play was reviewable, he said. It was a confrontation that didn’t look too animated with third base umpire Chris Guccione.

“I didn’t really think it was,” he said. “I was ejected from the game. It’s September, we’re in a pennant race. Every play counts. Every situation is crucial. I’m sure I’ve deserved every one of them. It’s never personal.”

Tolleson rest

Closer Shawn Tolleson has been the recipient of a nice little break just when the Rangers’ postseason chase has heated up. He’s been used only twice in the past 10 games, a save and win in back-to-back games against the Astros. Texas was losing late in four of the games and led big in the others.

It hasn’t been a total shutdown, as Tolleson has been up in the bullpen in seven of the eight games.

“Anytime you’re throwing it’s still throwing,” he said. “It hasn’t been complete rest but I think it has been good to get a few days off and kind of rest up.”

At 66  1/3 innings this season, Tolleson is five innings short of his career high set a year ago with Texas.

“I like the fact that Tolley has gotten some rest,” Banister said, “given the workload he has had and some of the stretches with very few days off.”

Neither Tolleson nor Banister are concerned about Tolleson remaining mentally sharp.

“The only way it can mess you up mentally is if you think about it messing you up mentally,” Tolleson said. “So I haven’t thought about it.”

Chirinos available

Catcher Robinson Chirinos was available as an emergency replacement Friday night. He continues to recover from a biceps tendon injury on Sept. 9.

“I think it’s time to get back to the field,” said Chirinos, who caught a simulated game in the batting cage on Friday. “It went well — receiving, blocking, throwing to second base. Hopefully, I can get behind the plate soon.”

Banister said Chirinos is likely to remain the third option behind the plate behind Chris Gimenez and Bobby Wilson, at least until Chirinos’ body proves it’s back to handling a full game.

“I think he’s an option for us,” he said. “But we’re at the point with the rhythm of the season and where we’re at, to have the two guys who have been catching, I’d envision them to get the bulk of the catching time.”

Rotation set up

The Rangers are unlikely to use Monday’s off day to make any changes in their rotation, Banister said.

Martin Perez, Colby Lewis and Yovani Gallardo are scheduled to start Tuesday-Thursday in Oakland.

Cole Hamels, Derek Holland and Martin Perez will start the series in Houston Sept. 25-27.

This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 7:46 PM with the headline "Banister sets record for ejections by Rangers rookie manager."