DeShields (concussion) hits DL, Robinson up

August 4th, 2018

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have placed outfielder on the seven-day disabled list with post-concussion syndrome. was called up from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
DeShields was placed on the disabled list one day after being scratched from Friday's lineup because of a headache. It's the first time DeShields has complained of headaches since leaving the Rangers' game against the Red Sox on July 11.
DeShields tried to make a diving catch in the sixth inning of that game and suffered neck and head injuries. He had to leave that game and immediately went into Major League Baseball's concussion protocol. He was cleared two days later.
"Yesterday was the first day he had any complaints that he talked about," Texas manager Jeff Banister said. "When a guy comes in talking about headaches and he has been in concussion protocol, that raises a number of red flags immediately."
DeShields is eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday, but will first have to pass all the mandatory concussion tests again.
He is the third Texas outfielder currently on the disabled list. is sidelined with a sprained right thumb, and is out with back spasms. Both are limited in hitting, and their return is not imminent.
Robinson was on the Rangers' Opening Day roster but went on the disabled list on May 7 with a strained left hip. He came off the disabled list two weeks later and was optioned to Triple-A. He was hitting .175 in 26 games for Texas, but .308 with a .374 on-base percentage and a .556 slugging percentage at Round Rock.
Robinson can play the infield and the outfield. But with and available as utility infielders, Robinson's main role for the Rangers will be backup outfielder. will get most of the playing time in center while DeShields is out, although Banister said Robinson will start there on Sunday.
Barnette cleared to throw
Pitcher Tony Barnette, on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder, has been cleared to resume throwing this coming week. Barnette will begin by playing catch with the goal of being able to throw off a mound by the start of September.
Barnette is still hoping to pitch in a game before the end of the season. He is a free agent after the season, but that is not the compelling factor to getting back on the mound.
"I signed to pitch for the Texas Rangers at the beginning of the season," Barnette said. "I have an obligation to the team and my teammates. If you are willing to play this game, I owe it to the guys in the clubhouse to get healthy and pitch."
Rangers beat:
• Joey Gallo and several of his teammates spent the All-Star break in Mexico, and he said that was a big boost.
"We went to Mexico and got away," Gallo said. "We didn't worry about baseball; we didn't think about it. Then you get back, and you miss it, and you're like, 'All right, I'm ready to compete again, I'm ready to have that fire again.' I think that's huge. That was big for me, it always is, and I think it was big for a lot of guys."
• Vladimir Guerrero, who played for the Rangers in 2010 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame last Sunday, was honored in a pregame ceremony Saturday. , and Ivan Rodriguez participated in the ceremony.
• Outfielder Scott Heineman (left shoulder) has been activated off the disabled list at Triple-A Round Rock. The shoulder kept him from getting call-up consideration in the past two weeks.