Hunter Pence leaves game with right groin injury

Texas Rangers outfielder left today’s game against the Cincinnati Reds in the top of the fifth inning with what appeared to be a leg injury. Pence pulled up lame while running after a ball that went for a ground rule double. To replace Pence, the Rangers moved Danny Santana from shortstop to right field, moved Logan Forsythe from third base to shortstop, and put Asdrubal Cabrera into the game at third base.

The Rangers were already missing Nomar Mazara, who was out Sunday with a tight hamstring that he was getting an MRI on on Monday already. Willie Calhoun is ready to be activated from his rehab assignment with Nashville, and so at this point I would guess that Pence will go on the injured list, and Calhoun will be activated, on Monday. Mazara’s MRI is anticipated to be precautionary, and he’s not expected to need an i.l. stint, but if he does, the Rangers would seem likely to recall Carlos Tocci until Joey Gallo, expected to start a rehab assignment Tuesday, is ready to return.

UPDATE — The team announced Pence left the game with a tight right groin, and will get an MRI Monday.