NEWSFLASH: Teixeira to DL, Loe to AAA

Per Jamey Newberg, the Texas Rangers have placed first baseman Mark Teixeira on the 15-day disabled list due to the strained left quadriceps muscle he sustained during the 6th inning of last night's 9-6 win against the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, #5 starter Kameron Loe has been optioned to AAA Oklahoma City, with the Rangers apparently wanting Loe to develop his breaking stuff more while he's with the Redhawks.

Taking their spots on the active roster are outfielder Brad Wilkerson, who has been activated from the 15-day disabled list, and third baseman Travis Metcalf, who has been recalled from Oklahoma City.

There promises to be some fairly major fallout from these latest transactions. First of all, Teixeira's consecutive games played streak has ended at 507, which had been the second longest streak among active players behind only Miguel Tejada whose streak sits at 1,142 consecutive games. Teixeira's streak dated back to May 20th, 2004.

Secondly, there's a huge offensive impact involved here: the Rangers are going to badly miss Teixeira's .302/.405/.554 batting line. Seeing how the team does over the next two weeks could be a big preview as to how life with Teixeira gone permanently would really be like. Hopefully, Wilkerson can keep the offense from going to complete garbage in the meantime; Brad says that his leg is finally healthy, so we'll see.

It remains baffling as to why Jason Botts has still not gotten a real chance at the big league level in this organization, and it looks like it'll remain that way for the time being. I would think that with the season already lost, the Rangers would use Teixeira's injury as an opportunity to see what Botts can show over a two week period in the majors, but I guess not. Incidentally, Botts is hitting .308/.410/.480 in 221 AB with the Redhawks this year.

I lobbied hard for Kameron Loe to be in the rotation coming into the season, but let's face it: he's been a disaster. In ten starts this year, Loe is 1-6 with a 7.71 ERA, and a terrifying 1.68 WHIP. Opposing batters have an OPS against Loe as a starter this year of .884. Completely unacceptable, and after the Snake's latest abomination of a start against Detroit, I don't think management really had a choice.

It'll be interesting to see who the Rangers go with as their #5 starter in the meantime; I suspect Jamey Wright will get another chance, but I still don't think he's got much of anything.

Saturday, June 9th Game Preview

Milwaukee Brewers ( 33-28 ) at Texas Rangers ( 22-39 )

Ben Sheets ( 6-3, 3.51 ERA ) vs. Brandon McCarthy ( 4-4, 6.35 ERA )

7:35 PM CST in Arlington, Texas ( Rangers Ballpark in Arlington )

TV: KDFI/My27 | Radio: KRLD 1080 AM