Banister downplays Friday's dustup with Angels

ANAHEIM -- Rangers manager Jeff Banister was asked before Saturday's game against the Angels if he expected any hard feelings from Los Angeles over the game-ending play Friday night, when Rougned Odor spiked shortstop Andrelton Simmons trying to break up a double play.
"I don't concern myself with that, and they don't either," Banister said.
Banister added one retort.
"But our shortstop is getting close," Banister said. "How long has he been out? Our shortstop is getting close."
Banister was referring to shortstop Elvis Andrus, who has been out since April 11 with a fractured right elbow. He was hit by a pitch thrown by Angels reliever Keynan Middleton. Banister has never suggested the plunking was deliberate. He was making it clear that if the Rangers don't hold a grudge, neither should the Angels. Simmons was in the Angels' lineup on Saturday.
"I just trying to play the game hard," Odor said. "I don't try to play the game dirty. I play second base. I know what is dirty and what is not dirty. That's why I was surprised he was mad. For me, it was not dirty."
DeShields moved down in lineup
Delino DeShields has been dropped from the leadoff spot, but it doesn't drastically change the structure of the Rangers' lineup.
DeShields was moved to the ninth spot for Saturday's game against the Angels, and everybody else just moved up in the order. That means DeShields is still hitting in front of Shin-Soo Choo, Jurickson Profar and Nomar Mazara. He is just doing it one less time.
"We have done this with Delino before when he has gotten into a situation like this," Banister said. "Every spot in the lineup comes with its own representation. We are going to back him off and let him exhale."

The Rangers also activated center fielder Carlos Tocci off the disabled list, but the plan is not for him to take DeShields' place.
"Taking Delino out of the lineup is not an option I like," Banister said. "He is playing solid defense and still creating run-scoring opportunities when he is on base. This is just an opportunity to let him breathe a little bit."
DeShields went into Saturday hitting .133 with a .217 on-base percentage in his last 21 games. Prior to that, he was hitting .313 with a .395 on-base percentage in 17 games after being activated from the disabled list on April 22.
"I'm missing pitches I should hit," DeShields said. "It's my timing, that's all this is. It is a matter of trusting what I have been doing, trust the process and have fun."
Minor's start pushed back
The Rangers are pushing Mike Minor back in the rotation. He was scheduled to pitch on Wednesday against the Athletics, but has been pushed back to Saturday against the Astros.
Bartolo Colon will start on four days' rest against the Athletics. The move also allows Cole Hamels to pitch Thursday and Doug Fister on Friday against the Astros on four days' rest.

Minor, who pitched Wednesday against the Mariners, is being moved back as part of the Rangers' continuing effort to give him extra rest whenever possible. He missed all of 2015 and '16 with a shoulder injury and was used as a reliever by the Royals last season. He has a 6.00 ERA in three starts on four days' rest this season and a 3.63 ERA on five days' rest. However, in four starts with more than five days' rest, he has an 8.05 ERA.
"When you look at the pace of innings that he is on, there is nothing physical," Banister said. "This is just an opportunity to manage his innings."
Rangers beat
• Andrus is indeed getting close. He is hitting soft-toss and is hoping to be cleared on Tuesday to take full batting practice. He will be examined by Dr. Keith Meister, and Andrus is also hoping to be cleared to do full throwing.
• Outfielder Eliezer Álvarez has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Double-A Frisco. He was designated for assignment Tuesday to make room on the 40-man roster for pitcher Ricardo Rodríguez.
• Reliever Chris Martin turned 32 on Saturday.