Gallo likely to IL with possible broken wrist

SEATTLE -- Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo is headed for the injured list after an MRI on his sore right wrist proved to be inconclusive. He will likely be replaced by outfielder Willie Calhoun.

The Rangers have sent Gallo back to Dallas to be examined by Dr. Thomas DiLiberti, a hand surgeon. There is a concern that Gallo could be dealing with a broken hamate bone, an injury which could sideline him for three to four weeks.

“Yeah, it’s not good as far as the outlook,” manager Chris Woodward said. “I don’t know what’s wrong yet, but most likely it’s going to be an IL. We’re not for sure yet.”

Gallo has been playing through soreness in the wrist for some time and finally came out of Tuesday’s game against the Mariners in the bottom of the eighth inning. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday, and Dr. Keith Meister, the Rangers' team physician, determined that the results were inconclusive. That’s why they want Gallo to see a specialist.

Gallo is 7-for-52 with 31 strikeouts in July, and Woodward said the wrist could be a factor.

“Joey plays through a lot of nagging things, so for him to say it’s pretty sore meant a lot to me,” Woodward said. “He has probably been playing with it sore, and it’s probably affecting his bat to ball, especially when it’s your lead hand. It makes it tough.”

Calhoun was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on July 16 and was 3-for-11 in four games for the Sounds. He is hitting .277/.313/.489 in the 26 games he has played over his two previous tours with Texas.