What happens to Teagarden once Saltlamacchia returns?

It has been 19 days since Jarrod Saltlamacchia completed a full game, which was opening day.  In that game he ended up hitting the game ending hit which resulted in a Rangers win.  He was eventually placed on the disabled list a couple of days later due to muscle spasms.  During that time Teagarden has struggled at the plate in eight games this season with a huge goose egg for 22 batting.

During the span of eight games, he has struck out 15 times, and walked three times scoring two runs.  After Teagarden struggled earlier in the season the Rangers started veteran Matt Treanor behind the plate.  In seven games and 26 at bats, Treanor has six hits with 3 rbis and one walk.

The Rangers plan coming into the season was going to be similar to the arrangement which the Angels have with their catcher position.  The Angels separate catching duties almost in half between Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis.  Mathis is in a similar position as Saltlamacchia, although he will be out almost 6-8 weeks with a broken wrist and Saltlamacchia should return to Rangers sometime soon.

The best case scenario for the Rangers once Saltlamacchia returns is that if the Rangers option Teagarden to Triple-A OKC to left him focus on his hitting.  Sometimes some little aspect of a players stance, or even the way they grip the bat can affect their offensive production.  The demotion might give him an opportunity for the pressure to be off and learn how to hit again, because it is well known you don’t make it to the majors not being able to put the play into play.

Once Saltlamacchia returns from the disabled lists the Rangers should split the catching duties between him and Matt Treanor.  It should give Saltlamacchia time to get his grove back, not to rush into anything resulting in an injury which could result in another D.L. stay.  The key to the Rangers success from the catcher’s position would be to have Saltlamacchia primarily behind the plate and have either Treanor or Teagarden back him up.

The Rangers dropped a loss today to the Tigers so the series is tied at 1-1.  In tomorrows game, Detroit’s sensation in his sophomore season Rick Porcello will be facing Colby Lewis who is 2-0 in three starts so far this season.  The Ranger’s will face the Tigers at 2:05CST tomorrow before facing them one last time on Monday for the finale.  Hopefully the Rangers can get at least one more win and series tie or two more wins and series win before the Tigers head out of Arlington.