ANAHEIM -- Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre has been diagnosed with a mild strain in his right calf muscle and his return from the disabled list will be delayed. It could be May before he returns to the lineup.
Beltre started the season on the disabled list because of tightness in the calf muscle and he re-aggravated it trying to run on Saturday. The Rangers are going to take a more conservative approach toward treating the muscle this time. The injury is higher in the muscle than the original problem.
"It's disappointing," Beltre said. "I was expecting to play Sunday or today. Obviously it's not going to happen."
Beltre was eligible to come off the DL on Sunday and that was his goal. He was testing the muscle on Saturday and hoping to be cleared to play. Instead he underwent an MRI on Monday and the results showed the aggravated condition.
"Anytime I'm not on the field, it's difficult for me," Beltre said. "The whole process of being on the bench and being a spectator, not helping the ballclub and not knowing, it's disappointing. I'm certainly not enjoying this. I'm not a patient man, but I'm trying to be patient with this and trying to understand what is going on."
Joey Gallo has been playing third base in Beltre's absence. He entered Tuesday's game with the Angels hitting .200 (4-for-20) with two home runs and seven RBIs.