Jun 6, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Hunter Pence (24) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The Texas Rangers placed outfielder Hunter Pence on the 10-day injured list Monday because of a strained right groin.
Pence sustained the injury Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds, when he was playing right field and chasing Jose Peraza’s hit into the corner in the fifth inning. He pulled up near the line as the ball landed and bounced into the stands for a ground-rule double.
An MRI exam Monday revealed the strain.
Pence, 36, is hitting .294 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs in 55 games this season, his first with the Rangers after signing as a free agent from the San Francisco Giants. He is second to Boston’s J.D. Martinez at designated hitter in the first round of All-Star voting in the American League.
Pence’s injury adds to the woes in the Rangers’ outfield. Joey Gallo (oblique) is on the injured list, and Nomar Mazara was out of the lineup Monday night because of a mild hamstring injury.
The Rangers did get an outfielder back from the IL on Monday, though, as Willie Calhoun was activated to take Pence’s roster spot. Calhoun had been out since May 22 due to a left quadriceps strain.
Calhoun, 24, was off to a hot start this season when he got hurt, as he was 10-for-23 (.435) with two homers and seven RBIs in six games. He was penciled in to start in left field Monday night against the Cleveland Indians.
—Field Level Media