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Julio Borbon Not In Lineup Today, Probably Not Friday; Don’t Even Ask About The Weekend

Posted on July 1st, 2009 5:26pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Baseball, Lineup, Rangers notes, Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON - Outfielder Julio Borbon isn’t in the starting lineup for the second straight day and it is looking more and more like his first stint in the major leagues will be spent mostly as a bench-warmer.

With loads of left-handed pitchers coming up and the impending return of OF Josh Hamilton from the DL, there just doesn’t seem to be anywhere to squeeze in playing time for Borbon.

Borbon, a left-handed hitter, was called up Monday and made his major league debut that night as the DH against Los Angeles RHP Sean O’Sullivan. He went 0-for-3, with a key first-inning strikeout and was lifted for a pinch-hitter with the game on the line in the eighth. He didn’t start against lefty Joe Saunders on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Rangers went with veterans against RHP Jered Weaver, who ranks sixth in the AL in ERA (2.65). Hank Blalock, who has a .381 career average against Saunders was the DH. David Murphy, Marlon Byrd and Nelson Cruz, all of whom homered in Tuesday’s win, comprised the outfield.

After Thursday’s off-day, the Rangers face elite LHP Scott Kazmir when Tampa Bay arrives and Washington said it was unlikely Borbon would play in that game. On Saturday, there are two obstacles to getting in the lineup: Tampa Bay is starting another lefty (David Price), but more significant is the likely return of Hamilton.

Hamilton is scheduled to DH for Triple-A Oklahoma City at Iowa tonight and play outfield the next two nights. If all goes well, he should return to the lineup on Saturday. At that point, the Rangers will have to make a roster move. It’s unlikely they’d simply release Blalock or DH Andruw Jones, both of whom were benched Monday so Borbon could play.

8 Comments to “Julio Borbon Not In Lineup Today, Probably Not Friday; Don’t Even Ask About The Weekend”

Phil @ July 1st, 2009 at 5:30 pm

So, we bring up a top prospect in Borbon in order to make things happen, and then promptly bury him at the end of the bench.

Great personnel move.
Greg @ July 1st, 2009 at 5:53 pm

Then send him down and bring Boggs or Golson up to sit on the bench. RW needs to get over his undying loyalty for veterens that aren’t performing. And I can’t imagine JD is very happy about this.
Matt ryan @ July 1st, 2009 at 5:56 pm

Friggin Wash. Just send him down tonight,not tomorrow, tonight. Get him in the lineup in Iowa so he can play everyday. Idiots. They don’t know if they’re coming or going. Poorly handled call up.
jcouch @ July 1st, 2009 at 6:28 pm

Wash is F-ing Liar… that whole article on ESPN abt shooting str8 is BS and I had bought into Wash… SCREW WASH NOW
michigan mike @ July 1st, 2009 at 6:32 pm

@jcouch

Language not appreciated!! Opinion is one thing but civility is common courtesy to those who participate…not to mention Wash.
Jack Daddy @ July 1st, 2009 at 6:41 pm

@jcouch – I have to agree with Michigan Mike. Trust me — I LOVE to cuss. To me there is nothing better that doing so!! But we’ve decided to go a different direction here. And also, I’m frustrated by the handling of this too.

By the way, my thoughts on all of this? My thoughts on everything from here out: “whatever”.
boomer1 @ July 1st, 2009 at 6:50 pm

This is BS why even bring the kid up? Might as well have brought up Boggs again and let Borbon keep playing every day.
JustSaying @ July 1st, 2009 at 7:50 pm

it’s a real shame that blalock is taking up bench space on the team @$6mil……..can’t wait for his contract to expire……..

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