Joey Gallo returns to Triple A after one at-bat for Rangers
Joey Gallo returned to Triple A Round Rock after only one pinch-hit appearance in five games with the Texas Rangers.
So what was that all about?
Basically, manager Jeff Banister said, he wasn’t going to play Gallo at any position but third base while he was up with the club. And Gallo’s tenure with the club was expected to be short, Banister said.
It was also a chance for Gallo to get to know some of the new major league coaches.
Using him in the outfield or at first base wasn’t an ideal option, Banister said. Gallo has played only one game at first for Round Rock this season and has yet to play in the outfield. Gallo lined out to right as a pinch hitter in his lone at-bat Monday against the Los Angeles Angels.
“I told Joey I wasn’t going to put him in a situation where he hadn’t worked out in either spot,” Banister said. “Plus, we had committed to Joey in spring training that he’d play third base to allow him to recapture the approach and the stroke that he had last year.”
It was good to be here to see what the MLB life is about again. It’s a good experience. You get to see how the new team is operating, so it’s good to come up here and get a feel for it before I’m up here for good, whenever that may be.
Joey Gallo
Gallo will play more first base in Round Rock, Banister said.
“It was explained to me a little bit. I’m not the one to talk about it. Whatever it is, Banny will tell you,” Gallo said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know much. Obviously, it would have been nice to play a little more.”
There was a chance Gallo might have started Wednesday’s game against Angels left-hander Hector Santiago, but struggling left-handed hitters Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland have good histories against Santiago, Banister said.
“Do we want Joey to play? Absolutely. We had some left-handed pitchers. Do I feel comfortable with Joey facing left-handers? Yeah,” he said.
Gallo seemed bemused by whole thing.
“It was good to be here to see what the MLB life is about again. It’s a good experience,” he said. “You get to see how the new team is operating, so it’s good to come up here and get a feel for it before I’m up here for good, whenever that may be.”
Odor’s options
Rougned Odor might play a couple of extended spring games in Surprise, Ariz., after his seven-game suspension ends. The club hasn’t made a decision, Banister said.
Odor is prohibited by rule from playing games with a minor league affiliate during his suspension. He’ll be available again June 4 against the Seattle Mariners.
Beasley update
Third base coach Tony Beasley is back with club this weekend before returning to Houston for his final seven treatments of chemotherapy.
Beasley plans to take a week off after his treatment before joining the Rangers on the road during their 10-game trip to Seattle, Oakland and St. Louis.
He will continue to work with the team but at his own pace and won’t resume his normal coaching duties. He’ll have another surgery in August, hoping any remaining rectal cancer will be removed.
“I’m blessed and thankful that my body has been able to withstand the treatments and not break down,” he said. “I give God the glory.”
Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Joey Gallo returns to Triple A after one at-bat for Rangers."