Choo Pinch-Hits, Could Return To Lineup Tuesday

It appears the Texas Rangers' decision to not place leadoff hitter Shin-Soo Choo on the disabled list has paid off. After suffering a sprained ankle in the Rangers' win in Oakland last Monday, Choo could've put on the DL and been eligible to return to the Rangers' lineup on May 7 at home against the Colorado Rockies.

After participating in a running session prior to Monday's game, Choo was cleared to be active a week after he suffered the injury while trying to beat out an infield single and stepping awkwardly on the first base bag. He ended up pinch-hitting for Michael Choice late in the Rangers' 4-0 loss to the A's on Monday night, hitting an intermediate fly out, but he could be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's matchup against A's lefty Scott Kazmir.

Choo would most likely play DH if he does return, as Mitch Moreland would sit against a lefty starter, and be back in his leadoff spot in the lineup where he's excelled so much this season with a .432 on-base percentage.

"I'm very close," Choo told reporters prior to Monday's game. "Every day I feel a lot better."

The Rangers' lineup is starting to get back to resembling what they thought they'd have when the season began, before Adrian Betlre hit the DL and Choo's ankle buckled. Now, if they could just start scoring some runs again.

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