DeShields Reportedly Suffers Broken Bone in Hand

Fresh off the heels of a big 5-1 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night, Delino DeShields is being held out of the lineup and scheduled for an MRI today.

Delino DeShields reportedly was held out of the lineup for today’s afternoon matchup against the Astros with a hand injury. He was scheduled to have an MRI this morning and as Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported, DeShields has a broken hamate bone in his hand which likely means a stint on the DL.

With the increasing likelihood that Delino will visit the DL, the Rangers now will have to decide who will take over center field in his absence. Carlos Tocci is getting the start Saturday against Houston. Tocci, regarded as a strong defensive center fielder, hit .294 between AA and AAA last year in 130 games. This average is largely due to a quality year at the AA level. In 17 games at AAA last year, Tocci hit .189 with a .204 OBP.

Along with Tocci, Drew Robinson could find himself playing a chunk of games in center field. Robinson is naturally a left fielder in the outfield so it will be interesting to see how a transition to center would work. Jurickson Profar also has some outfield experience but likely would just see an increase in time in left field with the possible shift of Robinson to center.

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Regardless of who Jeff Banister decides to look to in Delino DeShields absence, this is a big blow to a Rangers team that is thin in the field already. DeShields had solidified himself as the everyday starter in center and was expected to continue his role as the leadoff man in the Texas order. Typical recovery time on a broken hamate bone injury is at least 6 weeks.

Comment below and let us know who you’d like to see take over in center field.