ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers closed out their nine win spring training campaign without manager Jeff Banister on the bench Sunday.
Banister was at Globe Life Park early Saturday but went home before the 4-4 tie against the New York Mets because of flu-like symptoms. He was also feeling bad Friday.
The Rangers traveled to Oakland for the series opener following the game but Banister wasn't on the charter. He's slated to fly out Sunday and join the team and make his managerial debut Monday.
"He didn't want to leave today," Texas general manager Jon Daniels said. "Ultimately he felt it was the best thing. He didn't want to get his team sick. The energy level he typically brings and the strength he typically has for him to agree to go home he was feeling pretty under the weather."
