Strained groin forces prospect Gallo out of Futures Game

BALTIMORE -- Class A Hickory infielder Joey Gallo has been pulled out of Sunday's All-Star Futures Game at Citi Field because of a strained groin muscle.

Gallo, the team's No. 7 prospect, is hitting .225 with 26 home runs and 54 RBIs in 83 games for Hickory, but he hasn't played since Sunday because of his injury. He was supposed to be on the United States team for Sunday's game.

"The prognosis is we're hoping he'll be ready to go within a week or two, but right now he has been pulled from the Futures Game," assistant general manager Thad Levine said.

The Rangers could be without a representative in the Futures Game. Catcher Jorge Alfaro, the organization's sixth-best prospect, has already been pulled from the game with a broken hand.

"We look at the Futures Game as a tremendous game for high-level prospects to showcase their talents," Levine said. "We're disappointed our prospects won't get the opportunity, but it doesn't diminish their value. We wish they had the opportunity to showcase their talents, but we need to get our guys healthy."

Class A Hickory second baseman Ryan Rua would be a good candidate to replace Gallo. He has 28 home runs, the most of any player in the Minor Leagues.