Rangers' Adrian Beltre Will Remain Sidelined Until Next Month

Adrian Beltre of the Texas Rangers hits a sacrifice fly scoring teammate Ian Kinsler in the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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Update

Adrian Beltre Won't Return Until September

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre hasn't played since the 22nd of July, with a hamstring injury, and isn't likely to play again until September. From Jeff Wilson:

Adrian Beltre hit the field for the first time since reinjuring his left hamstring. He did some agility work and light running at Angel Stadium, and also was going some work in the weight room. Manager Ron Washington isn't expecting Beltre to return until September. Washington said that the Rangers will try to keep Beltre from pushing too hard during this rehab period.

At various points this season, it looked like the Rangers might need all hands on deck if they were going to hold off the Orange County Angels. Now, though? After smashing the Angels Monday night, the Rangers boast a lovely five-game lead and have a chance to cushion their lead even further this week. It's getting to the point where preparing for October baseball will seem as important as winning regular-season games.

In Beltre's absence, Michael Young has been playing third base regularly, and of course he's been excellent this season. Meanwhile, Mike Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba have been shifting between catching and DHing, and the Rangers haven't really missed a beat.

Aug 16 11:23a by Rob Neyer - 3 comments

Update

Adrian Beltre Injury: Ranger 3B's Hamstring Sends Him To DL

Friday night in the fifth inning, Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre pulled up lame while running from first base to third, with an apparent hamstring injury, and exited the game. Of course everyone hoped the injury wasn't serious, but it was serious enough that Beltre's been placed on the Disabled List, with Chris Davis being called up from Triple-A Round Rock.

Since exploding upon his arrival in the majors in 2008, Davis has struggled terribly to make contact while playing for the Rangers, while continuing to thrive in the minors. This season with Round Rock, Davis has 24 home runs in 48 games; basically he's been the Barry Bonds of the Pacific Coast League, except with many more strikeouts and many fewer walks (so maybe the comparison isn't so hot).

Davis can play first base and third base, and has seen some action this season in left field, too. Considering his success with Round Rock, Davis figures to get some action against right-handed pitching, but at least some of the action at third base will probably go to All-Star Michael Young, who's started only four games there this season.

Beltre's been having a fine season and he'll be missed, but a short DL stint shouldn't be a real problem for the Rangers unless the Angels get hot.

Jul 23 4:36p by Rob Neyer - 0 comments

Original Story

Adrian Beltre Injury: Rangers Third Baseman Leaves Game With Hamstring Pull

Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, who is having a fine season and played in 99 of the Rangers' 100 games so far this season, may wind up missing some upcoming games after suffering a hamstring strain during Friday night's game against the Blue Jays, according to MLB.com:

"I just hope it's not as bad as I felt it was," Beltre said. "We're going to have an MRI tomorrow and find out exactly what it is."

Rangers third-base coach Dave Anderson was waving Beltre home, but about two-thirds of the way to third, Beltre eased up and grabbed his left leg.

"I felt a really hard grab," Beltre said. "I felt like I was going to tear my leg, but it didn't get to that point. But I feel bad."

There has been no official word on whether Beltre will have to go to the disabled list, but ESPN Dallas has a hint:

Chris Davis was removed from the game in Triple-A Round Rock shortly after the injury occurred and is ready to take Beltre's place. Young, who played third base the past two seasons before Beltre was signed, said he's ready to play third if needed. So manager Ron Washington has some options and must figure out how best to utilize them in Beltre's absence.

Beltre is hitting .272/.313/.500 and as of Saturday morning, his 76 RBI were second in the American League. Despite Michael Young's capability of playing third base, the loss of Beltre would be a blow to the first-place Rangers' offense.

8:53a by Al Yellon - 0 comments