You don't see an MLB team carry three catchers on its active roster very often, but that's exactly what the Rangers are doing as of Thursday when Robinson Chirinos was activated from the 60-day disabled list after suffering a fractured forearm in the season's opening week.
Chirinos is, without question, the Rangers' guy behind the plate, but thanks to Bobby Wilson and Bryan Holaday, they haven't missed a beat in these two months that Chirinos has been out of action.
The two have combined to hit .280 with five home runs in the time Chirinos has been shelved, and for comparison's sake, Chirinos hit .232 last season.
Rangers skipper Jeff Banister hinted at the fact that Holaday is versatile and could be used elsewhere in the field, presumably at first base from time to time, to make him worth keeping.
The initial thought was that the Rangers would go with Wilson, who's been the "starter" since Chirinos has been out over Holaday, but getting rid of one would've meant losing one as neither has any options remaining.
Perhaps it was Holaday's versatility that made the decision for the Rangers, or maybe it had something to do with the fact that Chirinos, while good, has been fragile and the Rangers would hate to lose their current catching duo in case Chirinos goes down again.
"We have been fortunate to have a group of guys who have come through here that have been able to do that," Banister told reporters. "And when you look around the league, that just doesn't happen. I'll talk to those guys. They understand — just keep playing, that'sall they can control."
