Rangers All-Star candidate Joey Gallo headed for MRI on injured oblique
A potential All-Star candidate may have already been eliminated from the race.
Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo will undergo an MRI after experiencing tightness in his left oblique. The ailment is expected to require a stint on the injured list.
Joey Gallo will undergo an MRI exam (he's probably there now) on his left oblique.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) June 2, 2019
Gallo pulled himself from Saturday’s 6-2 win against the Kansas City Royals after a check swing in the fifth inning.
Oblique injuries are always concerning because they tend to linger and are easy to aggravate. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is just now ramping up his rehab after suffering a significant left oblique strain on April 20.
Gallo’s situation may prove to be less serious, but there should be no rush to bring him back.
Rangers report the Gallo exit as left oblique tightness. I'd be shocked if there is no IL stint. I'd be surprised if we seem him before Father's Day.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) June 1, 2019
In his last at-bat before the injury, Gallo drilled a go-ahead two-run home run.
The 25-year-old has quickly become one of MLB’s most prolific home run hitters. His 17 this season put him among the league’s leaders. On May 8, he became the first player in league history to hit 100 career home runs before reaching 100 career singles.
This has been Gallo’s best all-around season by a wide margin. He entered play Saturday slashing .272/.415/.633, all of which represent career highs.
Gallo, who hit 41 homers in the 2017 Home Run Derby, has said he would consider competing again this season. But this ailment figures to change those plans.
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