Texas Rangers Weekly Report 20: COVID outbreak ravages the team

I was hoping COVID wouldn’t affect the Texas Rangers this season but unfortunately, it has. Texas had 5 players join the COVID IL this past week. Luckily, no new cases are spreading around the team.

Due to the players going on the COVID IL, we got to see the Rangers call up some prospects that they want to take a look at playing at the big league level.

The Rangers took one game in Boston and one game in Cleveland during their most recent road trip. I hope Texas enjoys the home-field advantage this upcoming week.

Texas Rangers weekly report: Who’s Hot

Nathaniel Lowe

This one seems obvious. Nathaniel Lowe was in a hitting slump until Monday night when he got 5 hits against the Indians. He was the first Ranger to accomplish this since Rougned Odor against Houston in 2018. He really needed that game to get out of his prior hitting slump.

Andy Ibanez

Andy Ibanez extended his game-hitting streak to 10 against the Indians on Wednesday night. Right now, he is the hottest bat on the Rangers and he hopefully won’t be stopping anytime soon.

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Jake Latz

Hats off to Jake Latz for making his big league debut under such pressing circumstances. Though his final line didn’t look great (plagued by the long ball), he flashed some good stuff and provided hope for the future.

Texas Rangers Weekly report: Who’s Not

The COVID IL

The COVID IL has definitely affected players around the league after having to go on the list for testing positive for the virus. Being away from teammates and trying to return to top physical shape after recovering has been difficult.

Hopefully, the 5 Rangers players that got put on the list are able to return to their teammates soon and play at the best of their ability to finish the season strong.

Jordan Lyles

Jordan Lyles showed the Texas Rangers why he shouldn’t be a part of their future plans on Thursday night against the Indians. In three innings, Lyles allowed nine hits and eight earned runs. On the season, his ERA is 5.70. That just won’t play, even on a bad team.

Afterthoughts

I have two things to talk about in the afterthoughts this week. One has to deal with Little League Baseball and another has to do with the Indians.

I want to give a shoutout to the Abilene Wylie baseball team for their amazing run at Williamsport this past couple of weeks. They represented the state of Texas with class and I saw a couple of players who could even be Rangers in the future. Maybe.

The second thing I want to talk about is the Cleveland Indians’ Franmil Reyes and what he did Wednesday night for a fan who is fighting cancer.

The fan, Jessica, who attended a game this week, got a game ball from Franmil Reyes before his last at-bat. A couple of pitches later he blasted one that ricocheted off the bleachers and back onto the field.

As he was passing third base, he waived to her in the stands. After the game, the Indians allowed her to meet Reyes and get the ball signed and get pictures with him.

What he did for that family that is going through tough times is a memory that the family will remember for the rest of their lives.

Texas Rangers Upcoming Schedule

August 27-39 vs Houston Astros

August 30-Sep 1st vs Colorado Rockies