ARLINGTON -- Joey Gallo was back in the lineup on Sunday after missing two games because of soreness behind his left knee. But Gallo is still dealing with a sore tendon, an issue he has had since Spring Training and will likely have to manage the rest of the season.
This is a good time for a four-day All-Star break.
"It's part of the process of playing at this level on an everyday basis," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "Most everybody in the American League and the National League have something that needs attending to and healing up. I don't know if four days will do it, but I'm sure it will feel better with four days of rest."
Gallo missed two games in New York on June 24-25 because of the tendon, and did not start the first two games against the Angels this weekend, even though a right-hander was starting against the Rangers. He did play two innings on defense Friday.
Gallo walked in each of his three at-bats during Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Angels.
"It's kind of lingered and I'm trying to play through it," Gallo said. "I'm trying to let it calm down a little bit so this is a pretty good time."
Gallo said the tendon played a part in his reluctance to be in the Home Run Derby in Miami on Monday.
"I know I have been battling through this," Gallo said. "I didn't want to go to Miami sore and take 300 swings. I'm trying to be smart about this."
Rangers beat
• Martin Perez will start on Friday against Kansas City to begin the second half and will be followed by Cole Hamels on Saturday and Yu Darvish on Sunday. Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross are expected to follow in the first two games in Baltimore.
• The home runs by Adrian Beltre and Drew Robinson on Friday came on the first pitch. The Rangers lead the Major Leagues with 41 first-pitch home runs.
• The Rangers won on Friday despite going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. They are 4-12 in games this season in which they don't have a hit with runners in scoring position.