Beltre in walking boot after spraining ankle

June 7th, 2017

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers may be dealing with another significant leg injury with third baseman .
Beltre suffered a sprained left ankle in the first inning of the Rangers' 10-8 victory over the Mets on Tuesday night and had a boot on his foot after the game. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday, but the possibility exists Beltre could find himself back on the disabled list.
"I missed 50-something games, came back and was feeling well," Beltre said. "I play in [seven] games and this happened. I'm not going to be happy about that, but what are we going to do?"
Beltre, who made his 2017 debut on May 29 after recovering from a strained right calf muscle, had an X-ray, and the results showed only a sprain.

"I don't feel great," Beltre said. "We'll wait a couple of days and see how it goes."
The Rangers may have to make a roster move Wednesday even if they want to wait before putting Beltre on the disabled list. They might have to option pitcher back to Triple-A and call up utility infielder .
It's highly unlikely Beltre will play Wednesday, and the Rangers were already playing with a three-man bench, one fewer than normal. Gee lasted just 3 1/3 innings and threw 83 pitches in his first start for the Rangers.
Beltre injured the ankle beating out a potential double-play grounder in the first inning. Batting with runners at the corners and one out, Beltre hit a grounder to first baseman . The Mets went for the double play and Beltre beat the return throw to first.
"He hit the bag a little awkwardly," manager Jeff Banister said.

Beltre stayed in the game until drawing a walk in the sixth. He was replaced by pinch-runner Pete Kozma with the Rangers leading, 10-4.
"The genesis of taking him out of the game, didn't feel like with where the score was at, it felt like it was best to get Kozma out there, give us a little more range," Banister said. "You don't replace a Gold Glover, but a little more range at third base, get him off the ankle, get him in, get some treatment. Obviously, when your best player is banged up, there's concern. We'll know more in the morning."
Beltre said he didn't think it was a mistake staying in the game an extra five innings after injuring the ankle.
"It didn't get worse," Beltre said. "It felt the same in the first as it did in the sixth. Sprained ankle. … It hurts a lot, but it doesn't get any worse by playing."