"I think the pressure of getting myself this opportunity was what was kind of weighing me down and understanding that I wasn't a power hitter. "Everybody thinks that my bat's not there, but in reality, I never got to do what I wanted to do until now," Kiner-Falefa said. However, Kiner-Falefa is only concerned with being himself, not a power-hitting third baseman. 699 OPS was 41 points below league average, and 56 points below league average at third base in 2020. While he led the Rangers in batting average last season, Kiner-Falefa's. The questions with him come at the plate. He rewarded the Rangers with stellar defense at the hot corner, winning a Gold Glove.ĭefense is not a question with Kiner-Falefa. 302.Kiner-Falefa proved his worth as an infielder in 2020, winning the everyday job at third base outright out of camp. His previous career high in homers had been eight, in 2016 when he hit a career-best. 297 with career highs of 191 hits, 100 runs, 44 doubles, 20 homers and 88 RBIs last year. The Rangers also have rookie outfielder Carlos Tocci and infielder-catcher Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who made his major league debut Tuesday night as a defensive replacement at second.Īndrus was off to another impressive start after hitting. "We have a number of guys that can play a number of spots, and that'll be an asset we'll lean on."ĭrew Robinson, the starter in center for DeShields, probably now will get more starts at second base. "We're going to look to take advantage of our youth and versatility," Daniels said. 327 with two home runs.ĭaniels said Guzman will play some first base and Joey Gallo, who has started every game at first so far, will play some in the outfield as he has in the past. Jurickson Profar, who started the past two games at second base for Odor, will shift to shortstop to fill in for Andrus, who was hitting a team-best. And kind of count some heads a little bit." Good day to reset, recalibrate, exhale for a little bit. "In this business, at this level, there is no time down. "Anytime you're faced with some tough times and adversity, I think there's obviously a reset here," Banister said. The Rangers weren't making the short flight south to Houston until Friday to stretch the break at home as long as possible. "Not just on the field, but off the field and where the mindset is at."Īfter 14 games in 14 days to open the season, Texas has its worst start since a 3-11 mark in 2002. "In the interim, there is a toughness that you have to have as a group, as a team, as an organization, to maneuver through things like this," manager Jeff Banister said. DeShields has been out since March 31, and Odor and Fister went on the disabled list Tuesday. Second baseman Rougned Odor (left hamstring) and center fielder Delino DeShields (left hand) are already on the DL, along with right-hander Doug Fister (right hip strain). Guzman will be looking to make his big league debut. "Definitely an emotional one for all us to see him go down."Īndrus will go on the disabled list for the first time in his career before the series opener in Houston on Friday, when the Rangers plan to recall first baseman Ronald Guzman from Triple-A Round Rock. not a whole lot you can do to prevent it," general manager Jon Daniels said. He was hit by a pitch on his throwing arm in the bottom of the ninth inning of their fourth straight loss, 7-2 to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. 3 hitter and 10-season starting shortstop Elvis Andrus for six to eight weeks because of a broken right elbow, though additional tests Thursday determined that he won't need surgery. They also found out they will be without No.
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