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Texas Rangers: Opening day in jeopardy for Joey Gallo

By Travis Koch

ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 15: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers reacts after being called out looking against the Colorado Rockies in the bottom of the fourth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 15, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 15: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers reacts after being called out looking against the Colorado Rockies in the bottom of the fourth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 15, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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With a strain to his right groin, Joey Gallo could miss opening day for the Texas Rangers. More accurate information on the injury will be coming this week.

The Texas Rangers announced Sunday morning that outfielder Joey Gallo is suffering from a strain to his right groin. His opening day status has gone from certain to unknown, but the team excepts clarity on the injury later this week.

There is no such thing as a good time for a player injury; however, better a week and a half before the regular season starts than during the regular season. Gallo is among the Rangers’ best players and he’s surely one of the bigger draws to the ballpark. That said, his absence should not have much influence on the long desired opening weekend vs. the Chicago Cubs.

Still, Texas definitely wants him in the lineup against the NL Central favorites, especially with Jon Lester, Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels in line to start the first three games for the Cubbies.

Texas Rangers
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 19: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers collides with the outfield wall while tracking the two-run RBI triple hit by Daniel Palka #18 of the Chicago White Sox (not pictured) during the third inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 19, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

Gallo’s injury could force the Rangers to a curious decision. If he begins the year on the injured list, he would be left off the 25-man roster. Therefore, someone else would have to take his spot for the 10 days, or however many he is out once the regular season starts.

Would that give Willie Calhoun a route to the opening day roster? Hunter Pence? Carlos Tocci? Ben Revere? They would need someone who could play center field in case something were to happen to Delino DeShields. That likely eliminates the former two, at least in this scenario.

There are various ways the Texas Rangers could play it. Frankly, we don’t even know their exact roster plans if Gallo is ready to play the first game of the year.

Better, more accurate information will be known later this week regarding the slugger’s setback. If you ask Joey Gallo if he’ll be playing on March 28th:

Hopefully he’ll be ready to go. If there is any doubt to his full health, the team will keep him on the sidelines. They’ll be in no rush to bring him back in premature fashion.

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