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Delino DeShields injury update: Texas Rangers outfielder Delino DeShields is on the disabled list currently after undergoing surgery on his hamate bone, and was expected to miss four to six weeks as a result. However, Evan Grant says DeShields is making quick progress, and could be back as soon as April 23.
DeShields was the first of three injuries to Rangers regulars (with Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor being the other two) that has resulted in the team scrambling to fill the lineup in the early going. Drew Robinson and Carlos Tocci were expected to fill in while DeShields was out, but the Andrus and Odor injuries mean that Robinson could be playing some second base, which means Ryan Rua could end up getting pressed into duty in center as well.
DeShields had previously indicated that April 20 was his target date to be ready to go, but it sounds like the Rangers will have him go on a rehab assignment in the minors first. Doing three days on a rehab assignment with either Round Rock or Frisco would mean DeShields could potentially be back with the big club for the start of a three game series at home against Oakland that kicks off April 23.
It would seem likely that either Isiah Kiner-Falefa or Ronald Guzman would go back to AAA Round Rock once DeShields returns. Guzman going down would seem to be the obvious choice, since Kiner-Falefa could continue to back up the infield spots, but if he hits over the next week or so, it could make the decision regarding who goes more difficult.