ANAHEIM -- Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos is headed for the disabled list after suffering a fractured right forearm during Saturday's 4-1 win over the Angels. Chirinos is flying back to Dallas on Sunday to meet with Dr. Keith Meister and get a better idea of how long he will be sidelined.
Bryan Holaday replaced Chirinos behind the plate for the final five innings and will likely take over as the No. 1 catcher. The Rangers are expected to call up Brett Nicholas from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Chirinos. Chris Gimenez is still recovering from an infection in his left foot and not ready to come off the disabled list.
"Obviously it's a challenge, but our guys have resiliency," manager Jeff Banister said. "They'll continue to play. We'll find somebody to step up and step in for Robby."
Chirinos, whose arm was in a sling after the game, was hurt on an at-bat in the fifth inning against Angels pitcher Garrett Richards. With the count 1-0, Richards fired an inside fastball, Chirinos went after it, tried to hold up and couldn't. The pitch hit him in the forearm and ticked the bat, so was ruled a foul strike.
"His fastball runs inside on me," Chirinos said. "He throws so hard, I tried to get out of the way and I couldn't."
Trainer Kevin Harmon went out to look at Chirinos. But Chirinos convinced Harmon and Banister that he could stay in the game.
"Kevin made me rotate my hand," Chirinos said. "I felt the bone move and I thought the bone was broken. But I didn't want to leave in the middle of an at-bat."
Chirinos ended up flying out to right field.
"He wanted to give it a go," Banister said. "We knew it was hurting but Robby wanted to give it a shot. As soon as we saw the swing, we knew it was more serious. Obvious a blow to us but we have been in this position before. We'll find the next man to step in and step up."
Right now it is Holaday, who had a big hit in the seventh inning to help the Rangers break the game open. Holaday, with the Rangers leading 2-1, had a one-out RBI double off of Richards and later scored on a two-out single by Rougned Odor.
Now he is the Rangers No. 1 catcher.
"Honestly it doesn't change my approach to the game," Holaday said. "When I show up for the field, I am ready to play whether I am in the lineup or not to do what I can to help the team."