Via tweet from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Jeff Wilson, we learn today that Rangers catcher Mike Napoli is headed to the disabled list with a strained oblique.
Mike Napoli Injury: Rangers Catcher To DL
Napoli has caught 22 games for the Rangers this season, played 19 others at first base and served as DH for five others. He's hitting .221/.344/.493 with 10 HR and 25 RBI in 163 plate appearances for Texas.
Yorvit Torrealba, who has been Texas' principal starting catcher, with 45 games started, will be behind the plate for today's Rangers game at Minnesota. Taylor Teagarden, one of the Rangers' best prospects, will be recalled to take Napoli's spot on the roster and back up Torrealba.
Hardball Talk reports that Napoli could miss at least three weeks and possibly as long as a month. Oblique injuries are often tough to come back from, especially for catchers who have to crouch dozens of times a game and make snap throws. But what the Rangers will miss most is Napoli’s power bat. His .493 SLG ranked third on the team.
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