Gallo takes some swings, but he's a ways away
ARLINGTON -- Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo has started to swing a bat again, but his return isn’t expected until mid-September. Gallo swung lightly off a tee on Friday as he continues his recovery from July 25 surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand. “It’s good, but,
ARLINGTON -- Rangers outfielder
Gallo swung lightly off a tee on Friday as he continues his recovery from July 25 surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand.
“It’s good, but, in my opinion, it’s still a couple of weeks away from taking a full swing against pitchers,” Gallo said. “It’s improving every day, but it just takes time.”
The Rangers believe there is still enough time left in the season for Gallo to get back on the field. He just wants to be smart about it.
“Obviously, I want to get back out there and play,” Gallo said, “but I want to make sure I am healthy and can play to my full capability. That’s most important. I don’t want any setbacks, but I think I’m going to be able to play before the season is over. That’s the hope.”
Gallo was enjoying his best season before going on the injured list. He was hitting .253 with 22 home runs, 49 RBIs, a .389 on-base percentage and a .986 slugging percentage. He also missed three weeks in June with a strained left oblique muscle and has played in just 70 games.
“It’s pretty boring to have to sit and watch the games and not be able to play at all,” Gallo said. “I’m trying to find things to take my mind off it. It’s definitely not fun when you want to go up and hit and can’t do it.”
Burke first, then Palumbo
The Rangers have made it official: Rookie left-handers Brock Burke and
Brock will be making his Major League debut; Palumbo will be pitching for the fourth time. The Rangers are not planning for this to be a one-start shot for either pitcher. The Rangers want to get an extended look at both in the final six weeks of the season.
“I would be pretty much certain in saying Palumbo,” manager Chris Woodward said. “He is going to take over that spot in the rotation. There is a chance Burke can hop in there, too. Palumbo, I think, definitely.”
Brock could eventually take over for
“We’ll look at things as we go,” Woodward said. “Potentially, we could go six-man [rotation] in September. We’ve toyed with that idea. We have a lot of options. I would like to see Burke more than once.”
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T.R. Sullivan has covered the Rangers since 1989, and for MLB.com since 2006. Follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger and listen to his podcast.