García, Martin activated; Taveras optioned
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are trying to inject some more offense onto their 30-man roster by activating outfielder Adolis García and sending rookie Leody Taveras back to the team's alternate training site.
García, a right-handed hitter acquired from the Cardinals in the offseason, spent last year at Triple-A Memphis and hit .253 with 32 home runs, 96 RBIs and a .517 slugging percentage. He had six home runs and a .514 slugging percentage in 109 at-bats against left-handers.
Taveras made the team to give Texas speed and defense off the bench, but the Rangers' priorities changed after scoring just five runs in their first three games.
“It was just an offensive move. Leody, in my opinion, is a future All-Star based on what he can do,” manager Chris Woodward said. “Maybe a little more thump on our bench, especially against left-handed pitching. We’ve got a few lefties coming up. It may help us either off the bench or in a starting role.”
The Rangers are scheduled to face left-hander Madison Bumgarner on Wednesday. They are also in line to face Giants left-hander Drew Smyly on Saturday and Oakland’s Sean Manaea next Wednesday.
Martin activated for Kluber
The Rangers have activated left-hander Brett Martin and placed right-hander Corey Kluber on the 45-day injured list. Martin was delayed in Summer Camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but threw two innings in a simulated game on Monday and should be ready to go.
Kluber was diagnosed on Monday with a torn teres major muscle in the back of his right shoulder. He received a PRP injection and has been shut down for at least four weeks from throwing.
“I know it hurts our team, no question,” Woodward said. “But from his standpoint, it’s heartbreaking with everything he’s had to go through the last couple of years. You think of all the work he put in the offseason, [there's a] pretty big chip on his shoulder to prove he is the same Corey Kluber. He was really frustrated.”
Left-hander Kolby Allard will take Kluber’s spot, although the Rangers have not announced when he’ll make his first start. The Rangers don’t need a fifth starter until Aug. 8 against the Angels.
Allard relies on a four-pitch mix of fastball, curve, cutter and changeup, and was 4-2 with a 4.96 ERA in nine starts as a rookie for the Rangers last season.
“Kolby attacks hitters,” fellow starter Lance Lynn said. “If you do that and have multiple pitches you can throw in the strike zone to get people out, you have a chance to be pretty good in this league. He is not scared of anybody. He’s got all the pitches. Just make sure he is on the attack. If he does that, he’s going to be fine.”
Rangers beat:
• Rangers reliever Jesse Chavez on being shut down in Spring Training because of right shoulder soreness: “It was kind of a blessing. I was able to go home and start my throwing program from jump street. Maybe my rehab this winter took a toll on my shoulder. But going home and being able to start from scratch helped.”
• Chavez on requesting to be right-hander Jonathan Hernández’s throwing partner: “He reminded me so much of myself. He’s not the biggest guy out there, but he has some of the biggest elite stuff coming out of that arm that we’ve seen. Just watching him progress … the thoughts, the words that he uses, the way he tries to make that ball better, the way he’s playing catch and we talk about it after -- it’s hands down incredible to see that come out of him, and the will to not want to be good. He wants to be great.”
• Left-hander Joely Rodríguez, on the injured list with a strained lat muscle, threw live batting practice on Tuesday afternoon.