Texas Rangers: Shin-Soo Choo Fractures Forearm
A fractured forearm has threatened Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo’s 2016 campaign. How will Texas replace their on-base machine?
With the best record in baseball, the Texas Rangers have been playing very well as of late. While sitting in first place in the AL West, the team received some bad news after last night’s game.
Shin-Soo Choo was hit by a pitch in the 5th innings of last night’s 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics. Choo left the game and later found out that he fractured his left forearm. This will put Choo on the 15-day disabled list, a tough blow for the Rangers. Because it is mid-August, there is a chance that this injury could end his season. Robinson Chirinos and Jon Jay suffered the same injury and both were sidelined for about 2 months. The recovery time will make it difficult for Choo to return for the postseason. This is the fourth time that Choo has hit the disabled list this season for a variety of injuries.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Choo, 34, was very valuable when playing this year for the Rangers. Even at his age, he has consistently been an on-base threat. He is especially good against right-handed pitchers. In limited playing time this season, Choo actually has reverse splits. In 1,377 at-bats since signing before the 2014 season, Choo is hitting .259/.361/.422. Injuries have derailed a promising career. Choo is in the third year of a seven-year contract with the team. He is still owed over $82 million on the current deal.
The Rangers do have a couple of options for Choo’s spot in the lineup. They could go with young slugger Joey Gallo or Ryan Rua.
Earlier this season the Rangers had to find replacements for Josh Hamilton and Prince Fielder. The team went out and signed Ian Desmond and traded for Carlos Beltran. There are some potential options for the team, if they are willing to make another trade. Among those options, Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner seem to be on top of the list. Time will tell if the Rangers are looking to replace Choo internally of externally.
The Rangers have the best record in the American League even though they currently have a run differential of only +2. They are proving that run differential does not matter over the long haul. After the trade deadline, the team was instant favorites to take the American League pennant but once again the injury bug strikes. Time will tell whether the Rangers can find a worthy replacement for Choo’s spot in the lineup.