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DL for Rangers Jarrod Saltalamacchia?

Posted on August 15th, 2009 12:42am by Evan Grant
Filed under Baseball, Injury report, Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON – The second incidence of arm-related troubles in two weeks for C Jarrod Saltalamacchia is likely to land him on the disabled list.

But the Rangers still don’t have any answers for what caused something described as “arm fatigue” last week and numbness in his right hand on Friday. Saltalamacchia left Friday’s 8-4 loss to Boston after complaining of numbness. He had trouble throwing the ball back to pitcher Kevin Millwood on several occasions early in the game. He’s had problems with that seemingly simple task at different times over the last six weeks.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” Saltalamacchia said after the game. “I don’t want to hurt the team, but I want to play and help.”

After meeting with the coaching staff and talking with team physician Dr. Keith Meister, GM Jon Daniels acknowledged the DL was a possibility. He also said Saltalamacchia is likely to see a specialist at a yet-to-be-determined time. Daniels said that until Saltalamacchia sees a specialist, the Rangers won’t have any details on the exact nature of his injury. Numbness can be a sign of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) in which a rib compresses and artery or nerve. LHP Matt Harrison underwent surgery earlier this summer to alleviate the symptoms associated with TOS.

In the meantime, the Rangers must figure out a suddenly unstable catching situation. C Taylor Teagarden will likely take over as the starter. He started three consecutive games over the weekend after Saltalamacchia left a game in Oakland with arm fatigue on August 6.

The problem is that the only other catcher on the 40-man roster is currently on the Triple-A disabled list. Max Ramirez has begun playing rehab games with the Arizona Rookie League Rangers, but its uncertain if he is ready to return. The other options would be to add one of the Oklahoma City catchers – Kevin Richardson or Emerson Frostad – to the 40-man roster as Teagarden’s back or to go out and acquire a catcher. To do so via a trade would require a catcher passing through waivers unclaimed.

16 Comments to “DL for Rangers Jarrod Saltalamacchia?”

Tom B @ August 15th, 2009 at 1:14 am

I would rather see one of the young catchers move up rather than see them go outside the organization. Reward the guys on the farm. You are just getting someone’s castoffs if you go searching for someone ready to play and contribute. Salty can’t do more than DH the rest of the year and that’s not productive.
Trav @ August 15th, 2009 at 1:58 am

I agree Tom, but I think this club needs to do whatever it can to win. Whether that means aquiring another catcher. Who knows? Let’s wait and see.
KJ @ August 15th, 2009 at 3:05 am

@Tom B- The problem is no one is really ready from the farm. I just don’t see Richardson or Frostad as a major leaguer. And I don’t see the point in rushing Max Ram back if he’s still injured.

@Evan- I think you have to look and see just who is available right now and do whatever you can to have a stable ML-tested catcher in here.
Mike E @ August 15th, 2009 at 4:17 am

Adam Melhuse!
mike @ August 15th, 2009 at 6:50 am

What’s with this TOS thing? Blalock two years ago; Harrison earlier and now maybe Salty. WTF — someone check the water, PLEASE>
A. Stephens, Raleigh NC @ August 15th, 2009 at 7:18 am

Do not be surprised to see Rod Barajas in Ranger Red soon. And truthfully, it would be a pretty good fit. As long as Teagarden doesn’t get displaced as the starter in favor of the experienced vet.
Stacy @ August 15th, 2009 at 7:49 am

Why not give K-Rich or Frosty a chance as catcher? They would be as good or BETTER than Melhuse!
Samson @ August 15th, 2009 at 8:01 am

Didn’t I read that Manny Pena is Rule V eligible after this season? I know I’ve read he’s the best defensive catcher in the system. What’s to discuss? We need a backup catcher, there’s no pressure offensively, you want to see what the kid can do anyway….you bring up Pena. It’s so simple a caveman can do it.
Stacy @ August 15th, 2009 at 8:16 am

While Manny is terrific defensively, I don’t think he is ready to bring up yet as catcher. On another note, Manny is not hitting as well as he did at the beginning of the RoughRiders season.
Samson @ August 15th, 2009 at 8:30 am

Hi Stacy. I don’t think there’s any question that nobody thinks Manny is ready offensively. And many believe he’ll be a below average hitter even when he is. But….so what?

I’m not ready to trade a pitcher for a backup catcher. I’m also not ready to bring in that catcher to replace Tea(leaf). If we get no offensive production every 4th game, but outstanding defensive performance; the only difference from what we now have is the outstanding defensive performance.

It’s a no brainer to me, though I doubt Kevin Richardson or Em Frostad is looking at it that way.
Stacy @ August 15th, 2009 at 9:16 am

Samson, good points. I’m not ready to trade a pitcher for a catcher either.

Although if I had to choose between Melhuse or Barajas, I would pick Barajas.
Fred M @ August 15th, 2009 at 10:42 am

Ya know, I’m just not a fan of Salty. Everyone says he’s supposed to be this uber prospect but I just don’t see it. Yes, he’s made defensive strides this year but he’s far from all that! I say bring on Teagarden and trade Salty for whatever we can get for him.
Rick @ August 15th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

Frostad and Richardson are “organizational soldiers”… giving either a cup of coffee to reward their labors on the farm would be nice. I’ve seen both play in OKC several times and it’s not like they just suck or anything. Pina? I’d be for seeing what he’s got… It’s not like we need a starter…
Rangers Fan @ August 15th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

Why not Pudge? If he’s cleared waivers- he’d be a great backup, not to mention, an increase in ticket sales. This is likely his last season so get him in here to finish his career and be a good back up pitching 2/7 or so. Shouldn’t cost a lot either..
Mike E @ August 15th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Melhuse was with this team in spring training as is familiar with the pitching staff. Whoever is replacing Salty will not be the frontline catcher, but only be catching maybe once or twice a week. I’d much rather have a sound defensive veteran that’s already familiar with our staff even if it means giving up something offensively. As a bonus, Melhuse is not on a major league roster and would not cost us a prospect in trade.
Stacy @ August 15th, 2009 at 11:31 pm

Kevin Richardson was called up — YEA!