Jeff Mathis leaves game with lower back strain

Texas Rangers catcher Jeff Mathis left today’s game in the bottom of the second inning due to a lower back strain. He was replaced by Jose Trevino and, per John Blake, Mathis is day to-day.

Trevino has been starting the majority of the games lately. Mathis had been catching roughly half the time until recently, and has appeared in the third highest number of games in the majors in his career. Perhaps not coincidentally, the 36 year old is also having his worst season as a major leaguer.

The Rangers have a pair of off days next week, which will help as far as workload goes, and also have Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the roster as a catching option. If Mathis appears likely to be sidelined for much of the remainder of the season, Texas would seem likely to put him on the 60 day injured list and bring Tim Federowicz up.