Odor could need DL stint for hamstring strain
Rangers' second baseman injured scrambling back to first base
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers could be without second baseman Rougned Odor for an unknown period of time because of a strained left hamstring.
The Rangers have not decided if they will use the disabled list, but it does not look promising for Odor. Utility infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa was pulled from Triple-A Round Rock's game in the second inning as a precaution to be ready for the Rangers if needed.
"At this point, I do expect he's going to miss some time," manager Jeff Banister said after the Rangers' 8-3 loss to the Angels on Monday night. "We'll further evaluate it. I don't expect him in the game tomorrow. We'll re-evaluate it and make a decision on anything we have to do after that."
Odor was injured in the first inning Monday when he was trying to scamper back to first base and avoid being doubled up on Elvis Andrus' shallow fly ball, which was chased down by right fielder Kole Calhoun. Odor beat the throw, but he appeared to injure the hamstring while hustling back to the bag. He was replaced by Jurickson Profar.
The Rangers said Odor aggravated an injury from Thursday in Oakland. He tweaked the hamstring stretching for a throw at second base in the fourth inning against the Athletics.
Odor played in all three games against the Blue Jays last weekend and even declined to take paternity leave after becoming a father Sunday morning.
The Rangers have Profar to play second base. Drew Robinson is the only other experienced big league second baseman on the 40-man roster, but he is playing in center for Delino DeShields, who is on the disabled list recovering from a broken hamate bone in his left wrist. Ryan Rua played second base in the Minors but is starting in left field.
Kiner-Falefa has never played in the Major Leagues, but he can play multiple positions and has played 132 games at second base in the Minors.
The Rangers' primary middle infielders at Triple-A are Hanser Alberto, Andy Ibanez and Christian Lopes. Alberto has Major League experience, but none are on the 40-man roster. The Rangers do not have an opening on the 40-man roster.