Gallo out at least 4 weeks after wrist surgery

OAKLAND -- Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo is expected to miss at least four weeks after undergoing surgery on Thursday to remove the fractured hook of the hamate bone in his right hand.

Outfielder Willie Calhoun was recalled from Triple-A Nashville to replace him on the roster. Gallo’s injury is another blow for a team hoping to stay in contention and look to add players at the July 31 Trade Deadline. That possibility is becoming remote at best.

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Gallo’s surgery was done by Dr. Thomas DiLiberti, a hand specialist, in Dallas. It’s the same surgery that Delino DeShields had last year, and he only missed three weeks. But Giancarlo Stanton, a power hitter like Gallo, missed the final three months of the 2015 season with the Marlins after undergoing the surgery on June 27 that year.

Gallo has been bothered by the wrist for some time and finally came out of Tuesday night's game in the eighth inning after hitting a foul popup in his final at-bat.

“It sucks,” manager Chris Woodward said. “It sucks for him. He’s disappointed. I’m actually not surprised after what I saw, especially that last swing. I think it has been bothering him a little bit, but the last one … he has had some nagging things this year and always tried to play through it.”

But on Tuesday night, Gallo told Woodward the wrist was really bothering him.

“That was surprising to hear,” Woodward said. “That’s when I knew it was something more. That’s why we were concerned. I just don’t want him to come back too early. The lesser hitters can come back early because they don’t have so much torque in their swing. But with Joey we have to make sure it’s 100 percent.”

This is the third time Calhoun has been brought up from Nashville this season and the sixth time since being acquired from the Dodgers at the 2016 Trade Deadline in the Yu Darvish deal. He was last optioned on July 16, a move that surprised and disappointed him. He played just four games for the Sounds, going 3-for-11 with seven walks before being called up. He is hoping this is the last time to be called up.

“It has been talked about ever since I got over here,” Calhoun said. “Hopefully this will be the last time talking about going back there. I have been getting those questions the past two years so hopefully I can put that behind me. Hopefully this is the time I can just stay up.”

Rangers acquire Carle

The Rangers acquired right-handed reliever Shane Carle from the Braves for cash considerations on Thursday. To make room for Carle on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Kyle Dowdy has been designated for assignment.

Carle was an effective reliever for the Braves last season, going 4-1 with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 53 games. He was on the Braves Opening Day roster but was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after just three appearances.

He had a 5.13 ERA in 20 games at Triple-A and a 9.64 ERA in six appearances for the Braves over four tours before being designated for assignment on Wednesday. Carle has a 94-mph fastball with a curve as his best strikeout pitch.

Dowdy was a Rule 5 pick from the Indians' organization and was 2-1 with a 7.25 ERA in 20 games before going on the injured list on June 1 with a right elbow impingement.

Rangers beat

• Woodward announced that right-hander Pedro Payano will make his first Major League start on Sunday against the Athletics. He allowed one run over five innings against the Mariners on Tuesday in his second appearance for the Rangers. Left-hander Joe Palumbo was considered, but he is still dealing with inflammation in his right ankle.

• Woodward said the Rangers did talk about right-handed-hitting outfielder Scott Heineman before deciding to call up Calhoun. Heineman began the season the injured list while recovering from left shoulder surgery and is hitting .380/.452/.593 at Nashville.

“He is doing really well,” Woodward said. “He is definitely on the radar. All the reports I am getting are off the charts, every, work, his numbers are off the charts and everything else that goes with it.”

• Rougned Odor hit four home runs during the Rangers' three-game series against the Mariners in Seattle. He is the ninth Major League player to hit four home runs in a three-game series this year. The last Rangers player to do it was Nomar Mazara at the end of August last season.