Jeff Baker was starting to earn some regular playing time thanks to a hot bat, but that positive momentum was killed by a high-five celebration gone wrong last Thursday when an unnamed teammate missed the mark and bent Baker's thumb back, leaving him with a thumb sprain that has left him without the ability to swing a bat or throw a baseball.
On Tuesday, the Rangers finally pulled the trigger and placed Baker on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 13, after going the past week hoping he'd be able to avoid a DL stint and carrying him on the active roster. The move facilitated the call-up of reliever Joseph Ortiz and catcher/first baseman Robinson Chirinos, as there was already a vacant roster spot.
Baker was providing some much-needed pop to the Rangers' lineup, especially since Mitch Moreland went down with a hamstring injury, allowing for some more playing time for the veteran utility player. Baker is hitting .317 with nine home runs in just 82 at-bats — a pretty nice HR:at-bat ratio.
"I'm progressing with baby steps," Baker told ESPN Dallas. "A decision had to be made. I just need to get healthy."
