Kyle Higashioka’s absence would impact Rangers more than expected

If you've been watching as the Rangers have started to make a run in the past few weeks, then you have probably noticed who is getting more playing time behind the plate.

Kyle Higashioka has been on a tear, and his hamstring injury couldn't have come at a worse time as he was making a push to replace Jonah Heim as the starting catcher

The catching dynamics were already changing as Higashioka was hitting the ball so well that Rangers' manager Bruce Bochy needed his bat in the lineup daily.

Higgy is 17-47 (.362) so far in July with an impressive slash line of .367/.596/.963. Meanwhile, Jonah Heim has struggled, going just 3 for his last 29 dating back to July 9 and his average has tumbled to a season low of .217.

Higahioka's offensive tear was getting him in the lineup more

Higashioka and Heim are above-average defensive catchers who call good games and work well with the Rangers' pitching staff.

So, it stands to reason that if their defense is essentially the same, then Bochy would want the hotter bat in the lineup more often. Over the last month, that has been Higgy, and it's not really close.

Unfortunately, Higashioka had to take himself out of the game in the bottom of the seventh on Tuesday against the Athletics after he tweaked his right hamstring.

He is currently listed as day-to-day but we all know that hamstring injuries can linger and be tricky, especially for catchers who are squatting and using their legs on every pitch.

Hopefully, Higashioka will be back sooner rather than later and this hiccup won't affect his red-hot bat that had him on the verge of taking over the starting job from Heim.