As Elvis Andrus stepped into the batter’s box in Arlington on Monday evening, the first time he had done so as a visitor in his career, he found himself overcome with emotion.

“It was a tough day,” Andrus said of his first game back. “I knew it was going to be emotional, for sure. [I was] trying to contain those emotions, but it was really hard. It was really hard.”

Andrus received a standing ovation as he dug in for his first at-bat from the Rangers fans in attendance, who saluted the shortstop they watched grow up in front of their own eyes for the first 12 years of his career. Andrus, donning Oakland’s kelly green jerseys rather than Texas’ red, white and blue, stepped out of the box and raised his helmet, the universal sign of appreciation.

Elvis was back in the building, and although he had ample time to mentally prepare for his return, all the prep in the world couldn't prepare him for the real thing.

“The love and the affection that the fans showed me [on Monday], it was outstanding and a little overwhelming,” Andrus said.

For the better part of 12 seasons, the Rangers were the only team Andrus had known at the Major League level. He was the team’s Opening Day shortstop every season from 2009 to 2020, providing his infectious energy every step of the way. He was a two-time All-Star who helped lead the Rangers to consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. His name can be found all across the team's all-time leaderboards. Andrus, simply put, became synonymous with Texas.

The return, and everything that came with it, was draining. Andrus went hitless in four at-bats in his first game back. He’d later say he was glad the game was over so he could once again concentrate on the day to day.

With the pomp and circumstance out of the way, Andrus was far more relaxed in Tuesday night's win, turning in vintage performance against his old club, notching three hits and two RBIs, the type of night that the Texas faithful had seen too many times to count.

“I was able to slow things down [on Tuesday], but [Monday] was just so many things,” Andrus said. “Everything was so quick. I had to talk to so many people on and off the field. [Tuesday], I felt back. I was able to control the game, control my emotions and just go out there and compete.”

“You come back against your former team and have a night like that, it’s always kind of fulfilling,” said manager Bob Melvin. “Probably more for the fans than anything else, based on what he meant to them and what the fans mean to him."

Along with his impact at the plate, Andrus made a savvy veteran move that helped turn the tide of the game.

Oakland sprinted out to a 9-0 lead through three innings, but Texas slowly chipped away at the deficit. At one point, the A's lead was cut to three runs, and in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Rangers were threatening for more. Enter Andrus.

Nick Solak, who had drawn a one-out walk after Joey Gallo's solo home run pulled Texas closer, attempted to steal second on a pitch in the dirt. Solak beat Sean Murphy’s throw to second, but overslid the bag and came off for just a brief moment. Andrus, who said he remembered that Solak slides late, kept the tag on the entire way. The second base umpire took notice, and Solak was called out.

“There’s some experience to that,” Melvin said. “A lot of times, you just drop a tag down and pick your glove up, but he stayed with it. He's got really good feel for those type of situations, sliding to the far side of the bag. At the time, that’s a huge play.”

Laureano with rare start in RF
Ramón Laureano started at right field on Wednesday for the first time since 2019, a move designed to manage the outfielder's workload as he makes his way back from the injured list.

“With Ramón on the turf, we’re trying to take a little off his plate,” Melvin said of Laureano, who missed about three weeks with a right hip strain. “He likes playing a little right field from time to time, but we’re just looking at workloads. We’re looking at the turf. Obviously, we’ve been pretty cognizant of giving guys days off."

Laureano hasn’t missed a step since returning from the injured list, slashing .318/.423/.636 with two home runs in six games.