The Rangers activated Khris Davis from the injured list today, the team announced. Eli White was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to create the open roster spot.
A Grade 2 left quad strain has kept Davis from making his Rangers’ debut after hitting .213 through 13 spring games. The former A’s slugger, of course, was acquired via trade along with Jonah Heim and Dane Acker. The move allowed the Rangers to shift Isiah Kiner-Falefa to shortstop, and hopefully, inject some right-handed pop into the lineup. Davis’ power is obvious, but he’s had trouble accessing it in-game over the last couple of seasons. He posted a disappointing .217/.294/.378 in 632 plate appearances over the past two years. Davis will presumably see some playing time against lefties, providing a respite for Willie Calhoun or David Dahl.
The 27-year-old White also came to the Rangers from the A’s via a 2018 three-team trade that sent Jurickson Profar to Oakland. White hasn’t found much consistency at the plate in small samples at the big league level with Texas. He owns a .155/.214/.194 line across 112 plate appearances between this season and last. White’s demotion means that Adolis Garcia will truly be the every down back in centerfield, writes Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The 28-year-old has managed a revelatory .269/.317/.538 with seven home runs across 101 plate appearances, surprisingly taking the starting centerfield job by the horns. Leody Taveras and now White, meanwhile, have both been demoted.
I hope Davis can hit enough that the Rangers can flip him for a lottery ticket.
If I was a betting man I would say he’s good for a .247 average with 40+ bombs.
Not this year
It will be interesting to compare his year with the bat to Mitch Moreland since he has largely filled the DH role for Oakland. It isn’t clear how Rangers’ new park plays but I have heard the announcers say there is a big difference with the roof closed.
Roof closed increases or decreases hitting?
I think it decreases since the air is cooler. It also makes it easier on fielders since the day game shadows can be funky