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Andrus struggling since move to leadoff spot

ARLINGTON -- Getting Ian Kinsler back in the leadoff spot could be a boost for shortstop Elvis Andrus. He has struggled at the plate since being forced into the leadoff spot.

Andrus went into Monday's game against the Indians hitting .217 with a .288 on-base percentage in 22 games as a leadoff hitter. That's the sixth-lowest on-base percentage of any player with at least 100 plate appearances in the leadoff spot this season.

"The type of person Elvis is, he's trying to put too much pressure on himself," manager Ron Washington said. "At every point in the batting order, there is a job to be done and not everyone can do it. Do I think he can handle the job? Yes. But you can't do anything about a guy who wants to be very good. Sometimes when you want to be very good, you get outside yourself."

Washington's other options while Kinsler is sidelined are either second baseman Jurickson Profar or his centerfielders: Leonys Martin and Craig Gentry.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger.
Read More: Texas Rangers, Elvis Andrus