Tuesday newsletter time: Rangers make smart call with Leody Taveras
(AP photo/David J. Phillip)
A baseball season is 162 games. One season lasts from late March/early April until late September/early October. The postseason has leaked into November a few times.
A season doesn’t allow for nagging injuries to fully recover. They can get better, but never 100 percent. However, they sure can get worse, and a lot worse.
Knowing that, the Rangers have wisely decided to place Leody Taveras on the 10-day injured list to start the season.
The move can be backdated to Monday, so the soonest he can return is April 5 for the Rangers’ sixth game. The Rangers are off April 6, so it might not be until April 7 before Taveras (oblique strain) is reinstated.
Ultimately, the Rangers are using the first six or seven games of the season as insurance to make sure Taveras doesn’t end up missing 30 or 40 games.
Taveras just started taking right-handed swings last week and was building up his shoulder through a throwing program. The Rangers flirted with the idea of keeping him as an active early in the season but limiting him to a strict platoon in which he batted only left-handed, but opted against it.
“It’s a little too risky,” manager Bruce Bochy said.
Adolis Garcia started Monday night’s exhibition game in center field and will also play there this afternoon in what Bochy said was an opportunity for him to get reacquainted with the position. That doesn’t mean that Garcia is going to start there in the season opener Thursday, but it’s a real possibility.
Bubba Thompson could also start in center fielder, and it now looks as if Travis Jankowski has the inside track to make the team as a non-roster invitee, barring a late waiver claim or trade. Catcher Sandy Leon was granted a release from his minor-league deal after being told he was not going to make team.
Final roster decisions could come today, but might not be made until Wedneday.
Food fest
Media was given a first look Monday at some of the concession items that will be available this season, and Rangers Today was there to sample the samples.
The best of the bunch was not from Delaware North but from Arlington barbecue join Hurtado, which is opening its own stand (Section 141) this year. The full restaurant menu will not be available, but what is available should make tummies happy: birria tacos, chopped and sliced brisket sandwiches, ballpark nachos and brisket elotes.
My guess is I will be visiting Hurtado often during the season.
The Delaware North tasting menu was headed by the barbeque croissant ($9.99, sections 3, 123 and 230), featuring Nolan Ryan Beef. It’s good.
The biggest hype will be around the Boomstick Burger. Instead of a 2-foot hot dog, it’s a 2-foot hamburger with chili, cheese, onion rings and jalapenos. Cost: $34.99 (Section 132).
There were four other items available: Corn ribs (corn on the cob cut in rib form), Flamin’ Hot Cheetos pretzel, Pizza Dawwg and the PLT Sandwich. There was nothing wrong with the first three. The PLT is a vegan option, and I didn’t try it.
Read into that what you will.
One more thing: The Express Grill will be powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, and it’s very handy. Basically, you enter your credit card one time, scan your palm, choose what you want, and walk out. An elaborate camera system knows who you are (and whoever enters with you) and charges you. You can link your Amazon account after the fact.
Rangers Today reminders
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Doggy video!
New business idea: a gym with workout support dogs. Enjoy.
Little guy wanted to hit the gym…😂😇🐶 pic.twitter.com/0e4lrLdBpr
— Laughs 4 All 🤟 (@Laughs_4_All) March 25, 2023
Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com
