ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras will start the season on the injured list while still recovering from a strained oblique sustained during a batting practice session at spring training.
General manager Chris Young said Wednesday, when discussing roster moves the day before the season opener, that Taveras has made significant progress. But the team didn't want to rush him.
“We were kind of waiting, holding out maybe a little bit of hope that Leody would turn the corner," Young said. “While he's made great progress, and I just got an update that today's been a really good day, the right thing to do is be cautious here and make sure we get Leody for the duration, and not push him to be ready for opening day.”
With Taveras on the IL, the Rangers will have Travis Jankowski on the opening day roster after he went to spring training as a non-roster player. He is a center fielder who has played for five teams over eight major league seasons, including 43 games for the New York Mets last year.
Young said pitcher Jake Odorizzi (arm), who was acquired in a trade from Atlanta early in the offseason, and reliever Glenn Otto (shoulder) were going to the 60-day injured list. Relievers Josh Sborz (ankle) and Spencer Howard (arm) are going to the 15-day IL.
Taveras could return as early as the team's series opener at the Chicago Cubs on April 7.
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