Rangers manager not going to 'hang my head' over early injuries
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Manager Jeff Banister said the Rangers have too much work ahead of them to get down about how the latest string of injuries.
Not even a full week into the season, the Rangers are looking at a decimated pitching staff and injuries to both corner outfielders.
The Rangers lost ace Yu Darvish to Tommy John surgery in spring training. Then in Friday's home opener, Derek Holland, another key starter, suffered a shoulder strain that placed him on the 60-day disabled list.
Left fielder Ryan Rua was placed on the 15-day DL with an ankle sprain, while right fielder Shin-Soo Choo will miss at least one start with back spasms.
The Rangers saw their 2014 season scuttled by multiple season-ending injuries, but Banister said this is no time to take a "here we go again" attitude.
"I'm not going to hang my head," Banister said prior to Saturday's game. "This coaching staff is not going to hang their head. What is this, Game 6 of 162? So we've got 177 days to go. Man, is that a long ways to go. We've got so many more obstacles and days to get through and runs to score and plays to make, to start worrying now is anti-productive."
The first obstacle, Banister said, is for the Rangers to learn how to do all the things necessary to win ballgames.
The Rangers have been inconsistent offensively and at times awful defensively during their 2-3 start.
"We're still going to go out and play to win ballgames," Banister said. "We're not going to worry. We're not going to have a feeling of despair. We're not going to have a feeling of, what now? It's, 'What can we do now? What are we going to do now?'"
Wednesday starter undecided
With Holland out of the equation, the Rangers have yet to determine a start for Wednesday's game against the Angels.
"We have some options, but right now we're going to let that play out the next couple of days," Banister said.
One option, Banister acknowledged, is righthander Anthony Bass who gave a solid, five-inning performance Friday in emergency relief of Holland.
Edwards a "shining star" in spring training
Jon Edwards, called up Saturday in the wake of Holland's injury, made a big impression on Banister despite not making the big league club initially.
"Really, if you want to look at spring training... outside of [Keone] Kela, Ed-wards was the next guy in the bullpen that threw the ball the best," Banister said. Kind of one of the shining stars of spring training. So let's the give the young man an opportunity."
The Rangers also added righthander Stolmy Pimentel on Saturday. Pimentel was a waiver claim from the Pirates, the organization Banister spent most of his career before being named the Rangers' manager.
Banister said Pimentel is a power pitcher who for now will be used as a re-liever. Pimentel, 25, was designated for assignment by Pirates last Sunday.
"I don't think he's pitched competitively in 10 days," Banister said. "That doesn't mean he's not capable of starting, but we'd have to stretch him out and things like that."
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
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