Ian Kinsler's trip to the disabled list definitely has some negative ramifications on the Texas Rangers. He was the team's leading hitter when he was shelved on Sunday and he's one of the team's leaders.
But there's also some positive things that come out of Kinsler being on the mend. First off, it lends to the call-up and playing time for super-prospect Jurickson Profar, who will get the majority of the playing time at second base while Kinsler is on the DL.
It also moves Elvis Andrus to the leadoff spot and creates a need for a new No. 2 hitter in the Rangers' lineup. That's where David Murphy comes in.
In his third straight game of hitting in the No. 2 spot in the Rangers' order on Monday, Murphy went 2-for-3, bringing his totals while hitting in the 2-hole this season to a .400 batting average with a big home run on Sunday night against the Tigers and five RBIs.
Over the course of his career, Murphy has hit .297 while hitting second in the lineup, where he's made just 19 starts in his career. Whatever the case, a new environment and new approach for Murphy has seemingly helped him break out of what had been a season-long slump
