When Geovany Soto injured his knee late in spring training, it happened right on top of Jurickson Profar's injury and seemed like the Rangers' injury situation couldn't get any worse.
Of course, we quickly found out that wasn't the case, but the team has had a pleasant surprise behind the plate with the play of career minor leaguers Robinson Chirinos and Chris Gimenez. Those two, in Soto's absence, have hit a combined .302 with five home runs and 23 RBIs after the Rangers sent off-season addition J.P. Arencibia packing to Round Rock after he failed to live up to his meager expectations.
Even still, it's going to be nice to see Soto, the projected starter at catcher heading into the season, back in the lineup. Soto is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Friday, and he expects to return to the Rangers in Toronto on July 18 — the first game out of the all-star break.
“I’m here [in Baltimore] to catch a lot of bullpens and get my legs under me,” Soto said Monday in the Star-Telegram. “I’ve done everything. The only thing I haven’t done is do it with spikes on.”
