Texas Rangers: When Will Rougned Odor and Ronald Guzman Return?
By Kenneth Nash
![PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 10: Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers in the dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 10, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 10: Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers in the dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 10, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fnolanwritin-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1142108490-850x560-0ce473d58e0c18907bd8d760d58719fe.jpg)
Coming off being swept for the first time this season, the Texas Rangers could desperately use two starters currently on the Injured List.
The Texas Rangers lost starting second baseman Rougned Odor and first baseman Ronald Guzman back in early April to separate leg injuries and have had to deal with a hole in the middle of the lineup ever since. While the fill-ins for Odor and Guzman have been serviceable and kept the team afloat, getting those starting players back is crucial and their returns are approaching.
Rougned Odor
Rougned Odor hit the IL earlier this month with a knee injury prompting the call-up of Danny Santana. After a fairly quick healing period, Odor headed to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday to begin his rehab assignment. The 25-year old got the start at second base against Iowa on Wednesday for the Sounds going 0-3 before being replaced by Carlos Tocci.
Before hitting the IL, Odor was struggling at the plate with just a couple of hits in last 20+ at-bats and double-digit strikeouts. Through his first 12 games this season, Odor is hitting just .167 with an OPS of just .470 and no homers.
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With Odor getting to his rehab assignment in Nashville, it’s likely we’ll see him back with the Texas Rangers at some point this weekend. Texas starts a 4-game series in Seattle Thursday night before an off-day Monday and we can expect he’ll get back into the lineup against the Mariners.
Ronald Guzman
Ronald Guzman is a bit further away from returning from his Injured List stint after going down April 7th with a hamstring strain. He isn’t ready for a rehab stint in Nashville or Frisco but Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News thinks he may go to Arizona this weekend to get some work in extended Spring Training games.
Guzman was off to a better start than Odor this season hitting .231 in his first 9 games. He’s swinging for power well though posting a .901 OPS and driving in 4 runs.
The 24-year old likely won’t get back to Arlington until at least some point next week. After the off-day on Monday, the Rangers are back home to host the Pirates for a 2-game inter-league series. They’ll have next Thursday off as well before hosting the Blue Jays for 3 games. I’d imagine we might see Guzman back for the Pirates series and if not, he almost certainly will return for the home series against Toronto.