Martin day to day with left wrist sprain
Rangers outfielder injured while attempting to make diving catch
HOUSTON -- Rangers center fielder Leonys Martin was in a lot of pain after Monday's 2-1 win against the Astros while tending to a sprained left wrist. There is a good chance he could at least miss the next couple of games against the Astros, but Martin is hopeful he can avoid the disabled list.
Martin had to leave the game in the fifth inning. He injured the wrist trying to make a diving catch in the third inning on Jose Altuve's double. Martin tried to stay in the game, but when he was in the on-deck circle in the top of the fifth, he found he was having trouble swinging the bat.
"I was ready for some bad news," Martin said. "It was the first time I've ever felt that kind of pain in my hand. When I grabbed my bat, it was tough. I couldn't swing it. I was ready for some bad news."
Martin was sent for X-rays, which were negative.
"It's all good," Martin said. "It's day to day, a little sore and pain."
Delino DeShields took over for Martin in center, getting a chance to play against the team that lost him in the Rule 5 Draft. DeShields played a big role in the win after drawing a one-out walk in the eighth inning.
With Jake Smolinski at the plate, DeShields broke for second on a pitch in the dirt and then stopped. Catcher Hank Conger threw down to first trying to pick off DeShields, but he alertly broke for second and ended up stealing the base. That put him in position to score on Smolinski's single.
Video: TEX@HOU: Smolinski ties the game at 1 with RBI single
"I was really looking forward to this trip, coming back here and playing against my old team," DeShields said. "I was just ready to play. You never know what will happen -- in my role you have to be ready. It was unfortunate what happened to Leonys, but it was fun. It was a great game. I love playing in games like that."
DeShields may be back out there on Tuesday night if Martin isn't ready to play.
"Tremendous job by DeShields tonight," manager Jeff Banister said. "I feel confident with him if Martin isn't ready to play."