Oblique Forces Napoli to DL

The Texas Rangers have placed catcher Mike Napoli on the team’s 15 day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle.

Napoli played a full game Saturday night, making Sunday’s announcement a bit of a surprise. Obliques tend to sideline players anywhere from a few weeks to a month.

Napoli bounced around between a few teams this offseason, as the catcher was involved in two trades in only five days. First, Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera went to the Blue Jays in return for Vernon Wells. Days later, Toronto sent Napoli to Texas for reliever Frank Francisco.

The backstop has produced well for Rangers. Napoli has contributed a line of .221/.344/.493 and is tied for the league lead in home runs as a catcher with 10.

Texas has called up catcher Taylor Teagarden to take Napoli’s roster spot. Teagarden will backup Yorvit Torrealba, who is expected to see a majority of the action behind the plate in place of Napoli.