ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers starting right fielder Alex Rios hasn’t played since Sept. 4 due to complications from an infected right thumb. A 2014 return won’t occur and his long-term future with the club is in doubt.
Rios, who hit a disappointing .224 the last 66 games, has a club option for $13.5 million next season. The club can buy out the deal for $1 million.
While a few weeks ago there was a thought the Rangers were interested in bringing Rios back, it doesn’t appear that way now.
“Not for me to decide, that’s for management to decide,” Rios said Monday before the Rangers took on the Houston Astros.
Rios has endured ankle and thumb issues for the majority of the second half of the season, which have sapped his power and ability to run the bases at times.
He hit .280 this season and produced the third lowest RBI (54) and second-lowest home run (4) totals in his career.
Rios was noncommittal regarding if he wants to return given the injuries he’s suffered.
“It depends on what they decide to do,” he said. “It’s not my call. I have no say in that.”
Rodriguez gets second start: Veteran minor leaguer Guilder Rodriguez, 31, earned his second start in the big leagues on Monday against the Astros where he’s batting ninth and playing third base. Interim manager Tim Bogar said he wanted to play Rodriguez alongside Luis Sardinas and Rougned Odor, who all played together in the minor leagues.
“It was just something that when we decided to bring him up,” Bogar said. “It was talked about just because he was with Sardinas and Odor ever since they came over here and he’s been kind of their mentor. It would be really neat to have all three of them out there and we just want to find a spot for that to happen.”
Base Hits: RHP Lisalverto Bonilla will start Wednesday against Houston. ... Bogar said spot starter Scott Baker (stiff neck) is healed up and available to pitch out of the bullpen. ... With Rodriguez playing Monday and Sardinas at short, Elvis Andrus got the day off. Bogar said he’ll return to the lineup Tuesday. ... Shin-Soo Choo, who is recovering from ankle surgery, said he’ll remain in a walking boot for two more weeks.
