Andrus, Calhoun to the injured list

Texas Rangers transactions: Elvis Andrus and Willie Calhoun were placed on the 10 day injured list yesterday, the team announced. To replace the pair, the Rangers promoted pitcher Kyle Cody and infielder Yadiel Rivera from the Alternate Training Site.

Elvis had been sidelined for several days with a lower back issue, something he has dealt with in the past as well. Elvis has been off to an abysmal start to 2020 offensively, slashing .184/.244/.250, though his BABIP (.212) and xwOBA (.325) this year suggest that is due at least in some part to the vagarities of small sample size variations.

Calhoun has had a snake-bit 2020. He came into camp as the everyday left fielder, but was hit in the face by a Julio Urías pitch in March which broke his jaw. He had a hip issue that slowed him at the end of summer camp, and now has a strained hamstring expected to sideline him for at least three weeks. Like Elvis, Willie has struggled offensively so far this year, slashing .176/.206/.224.

Cody, 26, was a 6th round pick as a senior out of the University of Kentucky in 2016. The righthander had a terrific 2017 campaign, establishing himself as a legitimate starting pitching prospect, but missed most of 2018 and 2019 with a damaged UCL that ultimately needed Tommy John surgery. I would expect him to be a long man in the bullpen for now, but with the struggles some of the middle relievers have had, he could get a look in a meaningful role as the season progresses.

Rivera, 28, is likely just insurance on the bench for now. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been playing shortstop in Elvis’s absence, and Danny Santana, once he can throw again, would be an option there as well if IKF needs a day off.