Choo hit by pitch, forearm broken
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas right fielder Shin-Soo Choo faces the real prospect of missing the rest of the season with a broken left forearm after he was hit by a pitch during the Rangers' 5-2 win against Oakland on Monday.
The news on Choo, who is headed to the disabled list for the fourth time this season, dampened celebrations for the AL West leaders.
"He's such a key part of this ballclub, this organization," manager Jeff Banister said. "You feel terrible for him personally and obviously it's a gut punch but one that we're going to be challenged with."
ADDS CHOO LEFT THE GAME WITH A FRACTURED LEFT FOREARM Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt walks away from the plate as Texas Rangers athletic trainer Kevin Harmon, center, and Ian Desmond (20) check on Shin-Soo Choo (17) of South Korea, who was hit on the left wrist by a pitch from Oakland Athletics' Ross Detwiler in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. Choo left the game with a fractured left forearm. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Choo checked his swing at a Ross Detwiler pitch and the ball hit an area near his left wrist, and he immediately dropped to one knee. He left after spending several minutes talking to a trainer and was replaced by Nomar Mazara.
The 34-year-old Korean has been limited to 45 games by calf and hamstring strains and lower back inflammation. Team spokesman John Blake said the injury was similar to one sustained in April by catcher Robinson Chirinos, who missed two months.
"Somebody you played with last year, somebody that's your friend, you hate for that pitch to get away from you," said Detwiler, who opened 2015 in the Texas rotation but was traded. "It's not a good sign when you get pulled out of the game."
The Rangers will recall outfielder Ryan Rua from minor league affiliate Round Rock to take Choo's spot on the roster. Mazara, a rookie who emerged the first time Choo got hurt this season, will see time in right field. Choo's leadoff spot in the batting order will again likely fall to a mix of Jurickson Profar and Delino DeShields.
