Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo sidelined with oblique injury

Despite modest preseason expectations, the Texas Rangers have been a pleasant surprise to this point, posting a 30-27 overall mark that includes five wins in their last six contests. One of the biggest reasons for that encouraging start is the play of power-hitting outfielder Joey Gallo but, after a the Rangers were forced to place the 25-year-old slugger on the 10-day injured list as a result of a left oblique strain. 

Gallo has been one of the best hitters in the American League to this point, tying for the league lead with 17 home runs and posting top-five marks in on-base percentage (.421) and slugging percentage (.653). While it would be fair to point out that Gallo's production exceeds his typical career baseline, there are notable signs -- headlined by a substantial increase in his walk rate -- to indicate that his uptick may not be totally unsustainable. In fact, Gallo trails only perennial MVP front-runner Mike Trout in WAR among American League players and, in short, his absence will be felt in a sharp manner for the Rangers. 

In his stead, center fielder Delino DeShields was summoned from Triple-A Nashville and he could see substantial playing time during the two-week projected recovery for Gallo. With that said, the hole created by Gallo's exit from the lineup will be interesting to monitor for the Rangers, as the team's strong start is buoyed largely by offense, rather than run prevention. Texas currently sits second in the AL in runs scored (327), while they deploy a middle-of-the pack pitching staff. 

The Rangers trail the Houston Astros by 8.5 games in the American League West, but the team currently occupies the AL's No. 2 Wild Card spot, with 200-1 odds to win the 2019 World Series.