ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Mark Teixeira’s franchise-record consecutive games streak ended at 507 when the Texas Rangers placed their first baseman on the 15-day disabled list prior to Saturday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Teixeira, who hit at least 26 home runs in each of his first four seasons, left Friday night’s game against the Brewers following the sixth inning because of a strained left quadriceps after landing awkwardly on the first base bag running out a grounder.
The Rangers activated Brad Wilkerson from the 15-day disabled list and had him in Saturday night’s lineup at first base in place of Teixeira.
Teixeira was not in the Rangers’ clubhouse before the game, and his presence was missed by his teammates.
“We’ve been playing together a long time,” Michael Young said. “You expect him to play whether he’s hurt or not. But there’s a difference between hurt and injured and he just can’t go. It’s a shock. But you never know when a guy’s going to get hurt. Tex is as durable as they come.”
Rangers manager Ron Washington said placing Teixeira on the disabled list would force the 2005 All-Star selection to rest his ailing leg.
“To stop him from hurting himself, we decided to put him on the DL,” Washington said. “He’s walking, but not normal.”
Teixeira, batting .302 with a team-high 12 homers and 41 RBIs in 61 games this season, is on the disabled list for only the second time in his career. He underwent an MRI exam on Saturday and the team was relieved when no tear in the quad was revealed.
“If there was any way he’d go out there, he would,” Washington said. “He would have loved for the streak to continue, but he also wants to do what’s best for the team.”
Teixeira’s consecutive games streak was second among active players behind Baltimore’s Miguel Tejada with 1,142. Teixeira’s streak dated to May 20, 2004 when he missed consecutive games because of a bruised left hand.
Texas also sent struggling right-handed starter Kameron Loe to Triple-A Oklahoma. Loe is 1-6 with a 7.40 ERA in 15 appearances this season, including 10 starts. Washington said sending Loe to the bullpen wasn’t considered, that Loe will remain a starter with Oklahoma.
“That’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done because Kam is a professional,” Washington said of informing Loe of the demotion. “But he has to develop his off-speed pitches so he can use it when he’s behind in the count.”
The Rangers don’t need a fifth starter until next Sunday in Cincinnati, and the team is expected to activate right-hander Jamey Wright from the 15-day disabled list to fill that slot. Wright has been out since April 13 because of right shoulder inflammation.
Texas filled Loe’s roster spot by recalling third baseman Travis Metcalf from Frisco. Washington said Metcalf will join the team on Sunday and will be in the lineup for at least the next 10 days as the Rangers seek a replacement for injured regular Hank Blalock.
Wilkerson, out since May 15 because of a pulled right hamstring, is coming off a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco, and wasn’t projected to rejoin the Rangers until next week.
But Wilkerson said his leg is healthy and he’s ready “to put a spark in the lineup.”
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