Thursday Newsletter time: Willie Calhoun expects to return in September, but where will he play?
The left fielder/DH is recovering from surgery for a broken arm and wants to put his rotten injury luck behind him.
A broken arm isn’t nothing, but it is relative to the broken jaw Willie Calhoun had in 2020.
That injury, in spring training from a 96-mph fastball from Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias, caused more than just physical arm. Calhoun had to overcome the anxiety of stepping back into a batter’s box against a lefty.
He did, though not until decompressing in the offseason. As of last week, when he made an appearance during Texas Rangers batting practice at Globe Life Field, Calhoun has nothing tripping him up mentally.
“This is just like, it’s just another [crappy] injury,” Calhoun said. “I’m in a much better mental place.”
Calhoun has been told that he could be ready to play in September after having a plate and screws inserted on the ulna bone, which he said was “shattered.” He can’t do any physical activities until the stitches are removed.
The Rangers did not place him on the 60-day injured list, though that could change if the need for a 40-man spot arises. If not, Calhoun can be reinstated rather easily with only having to maneuver the active roster.
The trick will be getting him in the lineup.
Rosters will expand only by two in September, instead of the player free-for-all that existed until 2019.
If Joey Gallo isn’t dealt away at the trade deadline — and he shouldn’t be — the Rangers would have no shortage of outfielders, and could be inclined to promote Leody Taveras for the final month if he doesn’t arrive sooner.
The DH spot would give manager Chris Woodward the chance to stick an extra outfielder — Calhoun, Eli White or David Dahl — in the lineup.
But what if the Rangers promote Curtis Terry, a first baseman/designated hitter? Terry’s presence might push Calhoun and Terry into a platoon at DH.
Woodward could just declare Calhoun the everyday left fielder or DH and be done with it, but that doesn’t seem very likely considering all the outfielders the Rangers could have once he’s healthy.
It’s going to be tricky getting Calhoun in the lineup.
What you may have missed
The Texas Rangers Newsletter hasn’t had an All-Star break, not with the draft and the actual All-Star Game and the minor leagues still pumping and the trade deadline approaching.
Here’s what might have slipped through the cracks (some of these are subscriber-only, so my advice to you is to subscribe):
Positive developments on the farm.
Five seasons following Big Tex.
British Open pick ‘em
One thing I try very hard to not do is call the British Open the Open Championship. It won’t happen in this space, and shouldn’t in yours.
The British Open started bright and early Thursday morning at Royal St. George’s. This is now the final major of the year, which stinks. I’m not sold yet on the “drama” of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
But I love golf majors, and enjoy betting them.
My pick for this weekend: Brooks Koepka.
It’s not exactly going out on a limb, though at anywhere from 14/1 to 18/1, Koepka isn’t the betting favorite. That honor belongs to Jon Rahm, who won the U.S. Open last month, at 8/1.
Koepka is currently the best player in majors, and 16/1 looks pretty generous even at the unpredictable British Open.
Louis Oosthuizen, who played so well at the past two majors, is going off at 30/1. Seems like some good value there for a past British Open champ.
Doggy video!
How can you not feel better after watching this? Enjoy. See you Friday.
Could Calhoun replace the Eli White 65-75% of the time as the 3rd OF thing they've been doing?