At 36-31, the Rangers unexpectedly hold a two-game lead on an American League wild-card spot. Some of their recent success has come without injured outfielders Joey Gallo and Willie Calhoun, though both players are progressing toward returns, Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram reports (links: 1, 2). Meanwhile, injured reliever Matt Bush is close to rejoining the Rangers’ bullpen, according to Wilson.
Gallo, who suffered a left oblique strain June 1, could be back when the Rangers open a six-game road trip June 25, per Wilson. Given the nature of oblique injuries, a three-plus-week absence wouldn’t be a terrible outcome for Gallo or the Rangers. Nevertheless, the injury has temporarily derailed an MVP-caliber start for the 25-year-old Gallo, who was amid a career-best season when he landed on the shelf.
Gallo entered 2019 off back-to-back 40-home run campaigns, though his high-strikeout, low-batting average ways helped limit him to 2.8 fWAR in each of those years. So far this season, though, Gallo has already totaled 3.3 fWAR in 214 plate appearances. While his strikeouts continue to pile up, he has still slashed .276/.421/.653 (170 wRC+) with 17 homers. Along the way, Gallo has significantly increased his walk rate (19.1 percent, compared to 13.4 from 2015-18). Further backing up his bottom-line results, Gallo ranks first in the majors in average exit velocity (96.3) and fourth in expected weighted on-base average (.442), according to Statcast.
Along with demonstrating his offensive prowess, Gallo has been a major asset in the field, having logged six Defensive Runs Saved between left and center. Needless to say, Gallo’s return will be great news for Texas, whose lineup has unsurprisingly lost some bite without him.
While Calhoun’s no Gallo (not yet, at least), he also came out of the gates well before his IL stint. Calhoun has been down May 22 with a strained left quad, but he could return as early as this Monday, Wilson writes. The former top prospect, 24, raked at the Triple-A level at the start of the year before the Rangers recalled him in mid-May. Thanks to his stint in the minors and his injury, Calhoun has picked up just 24 PA in the majors this year. But his .435/.458/.739 line and two HRs are welcome signs for a young player who fell flat with Texas and its Triple-A team last season.
As for Bush, he hasn’t taken a big league field at all since undergoing surgery on a partial UCL tear in his right elbow last September. However, the 33-year-old could be back in the majors before the month’s out. Bush struggled mightily during his injury-shortened 2018, but he was a useful part of the Rangers’ bullpen in the two previous years. During his three-year, 137-inning Rangers tenure, Bush has pitched to a 3.35 ERA/3.65 FIP with 9.07 K/9 and 3.09 BB/9.
This is better. Not so negative about the Rangers. You should write about them full time.
Agreed. Well written article.
If the Rangers keep this up, Woodard has to be in strong consideration for Manager of the Year. He is working with a patchwork team and getting the most out of just about every player (Odor is one exception).
I think it’s going to be tough to beat Baldelli if the Twins stay anywhere near the pace they’re playing. Woodward is the only one I could possibly see catching him if they falter and the Rangers somehow hang onto the WC though.
I agree about Baldelli. But, I think that Boone should also get some consideration for the job he has done with all the injuries. His bullpen management is questionable at times, but what managers isn’t? I think that if the season ended today Baldelli would run away with it, followed by Boone then Woodward (although you could probably flip second and third as it’s close).
Hopefully the reprobate Bush’s career is over. He should still be rotting in jail.
Lols, I was gonna say I doubt he ever did anything worse than myself, then I looked at wikipedia. While some of that stuff was hilarious, the rest was just sad. Kids just don’t have safe places to learn how to be alcoholics anymore.
Wow! Cast the first stone nypadre66.
A judge and jury disagreed.
Bush did a lot of stupid and irresponsible things when he was younger, many of which could have had more dire consequences than they did. But he’s paid his debt to society and seems to have made serious changes in his life.
Lots of pro athletes have done less to earn and make the most of their second chances. Singling him out seems odd given that fact.
I get it about Matt Bush. But everyone is entitled to a rebound, no matter how public it may be.
Glad to see Bush making the most, in such a humble way, with the grace God has shown him. I hope he continues on this path.
Wow, I just looked up Gallo’s stats for this year as I don’t follow the Rangers. Pretty impressive. It seemed like not that long ago there were people who thought he was overrated because I think he struck out a lot but had a lot of power. But seems to have pretty good numbers overall this year… good for him!
Their hitting coach is going to be a hot commodity next offseason.
Off-field stuff aside, checking Matt Bush’s minor league hitting and defensive numbers was funny. As for his pitching, its all about command. His stuff can get guys out, it’s just a lack of consistency.
Texas needs to address team needs come Independence Day. If they are sitting in WC position then go get. They have some questions going into next year and may be a team to watch for 2021. Most of their best prospects are 21 and younger.