Odor’s success likely will push him deeper in Rangers lineup
Rougned Odor has been excelling in the leadoff spot, but it’s unlikely to become his permanent home.
Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister would prefer to use Odor’s bat deeper in the lineup to spread out the offense.
“My preference is to have length in the lineup, a sustainable attack throughout the lineup,” he said before Thursday’s game. “That’s proven to be a better long-term run-scoring offense.”
When you lengthen the lineup out and have a sustainable offense throughout the entire lineup it’s probably more taxing on the starter.
Rangers manager Jeff Banister
Delino DeShields, who didn’t start for the second consecutive game Thursday, has started slowly at the plate. He’s batting .239 and was pushed to the back end of the lineup.
Banister hopes to get DeShields’ bat heated up and have him back in the leadoff spot. After sitting April 29, DeShields responded by going 5 for 11 in his next three games. But he was thrown out trying to tag from first base on a flyout to center Monday and went 0 for 4 on Tuesday.
“We have to find a way to get him going,” said Banister, who declined to say whether DeShields would return to the lineup Friday in Detroit.
Shin-Soo Choo would be an option to lead off, but he’s still a couple of weeks from returning from a strained calf muscle.
“I don’t care if they put me first or eighth,” said Odor, who was hitting .333 batting leadoff before Thursday’s game. “I’m just leading off for the first inning.”
And that’s partly the reason Banister would prefer to have Odor’s strong bat further down. He’s just waiting for an available alternative.
“You have to value the overall production up and down the lineup. I think it’s crucial,” he said.
Hamilton TBD
Josh Hamilton will not resume his rehab assignment Saturday, the first day eligible since his stint with Double A Frisco was interrupted after one game.
Hamilton is working out at the Texas Metroplex Institute in Arlington. Pain and weakness in his left knee has plagued him since last season. He had surgeries in October and February and has been on the disabled list the entire season.
The outfielder played one game with Frisco on Saturday, going 0 for 3 in four innings. He felt the same weakness and pain behind his left knee the next day.
There is no set date or timetable for Hamilton to resume baseball activities.
It’s likely Hamilton will never be fully 100 percent healthy, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said.
“I don’t think that’s anybody’s expectation at this point. It’s more about getting to a level where he’s comfortable playing on it,” he said.
Day off for Andrus
Hanser Alberto started at shortstop in place of Elvis Andrus on Thursday. Andrus had soreness in his back after Wednesday’s game. He also is 0 for 10 against Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ.
The night off was “more preventative than anything else,” Banister said.
Lincecum tryout
The Rangers will have a scout on hand to watch two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, 31, throw in Arizona on Friday, Daniels said. The free agent had the labrum in his hip repaired in September. Almost all 30 clubs are scheduled to attend.
Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published May 5, 2016 at 8:28 PM with the headline "Odor’s success likely will push him deeper in Rangers lineup."