Mike Napoli has a leg bone problem

Texas Rangers first baseman Mike Napoli has had a second MRI on his right ankle/lower leg area, and has been diagnosed with a “stress reaction” in his lower right leg, per the beat guys on Twitter. Napoli is not in the lineup today, but is apparently available, and is generally day-to-day.

The Rangers have a potentially tricky situation with Napoli, who reportedly told the press before yesterday’s game that he was playing against the M’s lefty starter, but was not actually in the lineup. Napoli is limited to first base duty, and the Rangers have Will Middlebrooks and Ryan Rua who are also righthanded hitters who can either play first base or play third base (which would move Joey Gallo to first), while also bringing up Willie Calhoun to play at least semi-regularly.

Napoli has disappointed this year, putting up a .194/.286/.430 slash line for the season, and even against lefties is just .198/.286/.472. He’s considered a great teammate and clubhouse leader, and as a veteran, he would seem to normally be in the lineup if he is physically capable of playing. But with the Rangers fighting for a playoff spot, and Napoli not having hit this year, Jeff Banister may be in a position where he feels he’s got better options than a gimpy Napoli.

So its something to keep an eye on, and one more thing for Banister to juggle in these last couple of weeks...