Texas Rangers: Is Team In Trouble With Beltre Injured?

Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre is going to begin the 2017 season on the disabled list. His reason is due to a calf injury he suffered at his home just before Spring Training. He did manage to get through Spring Training with the injury and he even participated in the World Baseball Classic representing the Dominican Republic. However, due to the injury not healing, he’s not ready to play.

Beltre, 37, is heading into this season just 58 hits away from reaching the 3,000-hit milestone. Last season, he became the all-time hitting leader among players from the Dominican Republic. Once he reaches 3,000, he’ll officially become the first player from the Dominican Republic to have 3,000 hits. He’s done many great things for the Texas Rangers. With Beltre starting on the disabled list, he’ll be replaced by Joey Gallo.

Gallo, 23, has an opportunity to right some wrongs from the past two years. While playing great in the minors, he hasn’t had much success on the main roster. If Gallo can play well, there’s a chance he may stay in Arlington once Beltre returns.

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As far as Texas being in trouble without Beltre, they’re not at all. It is unfortunate that one of their hottest players is out. However, he’s on the 10-day disabled list, meaning he may only miss two weeks, though it’s unclear. Texas did a good thing, though. Since Beltre isn’t 100 percent, he’s not ready to play and Texas can’t take the risk of having him play when he’s not 100 percent. The risk of worsening the injury is too big and it’s not worth taking. Giving Beltre some time to nurse the injury and rest is the smart thing to do.

According to ESPN, this is the first time since the 2001 season that Beltre is missing Opening Day. The Rangers begin their season tomorrow against the Cleveland Indians. Yu Darvish is starting tomorrow. If Texas can win their first series at home against the defending American League Champions, they’ll off to an amazing start to the season.