Rangers All-Star catcher Jonah Heim leaves game with wrist injury
(AP photo/Kevin M. Cox)
The injuries are mounting for the Texas Rangers.
The latest player to leave a game early was All-Star catcher Jonah Heim in the fourth inning Wednesday with left wrist soreness. Batting right-handed, the switch-hitter swung and missed a Framber Valdez pitch. Heim took his timeout and made a practice swing before calling for athletic trainer Matt Lucero.
Manager Bruce Bochy, a former catcher, came from the dugout and quickly removed Heim. Sam Huff was summoned to pinch hit, inherited 2-2 count, and struck out on the first pitch from Valdez.
Huff stayed in the game to catch and homered in the fifth. The other catcher on the roster, Mitch Garver, was already in the game at designated hitter.
Even if the Heim injury isn’t severe, one of the Rangers’ most productive hitters all season and one of the league’s best defensive catchers could miss time. One fear is a broken hamate bone, which would require surgery and keep Heim out around six weeks.
The Rangers are without All-Star shortstop Corey Seager, who is on the injured list with a sprained right thumb. Right fielder Adolis Garcia, also an All-Star, missed games Sunday and Monday after being hit by a pitch Saturday in the right hand.
Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com
