ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers don’t have a center field problem, even though Leody Taveras and J.P. Martinez have split the last four starts at the position.
The explanation is far more simple, according to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy.
“Guys get hot, you ride them,” Bochy said. “Guys get cold, you give them a break.”
It’s the biggest reason Taveras has gotten two games off since Monday and that Martinez has gotten just one off.
Martinez is hot, Taveras is not.
Taveras has already hit 10 home runs for the first time in his career and had his first multi-home run game back in June. In May, he was ranked among American League qualifiers in batting average (1st), hits (T3rd), on-base percentage (9th) and times on base (T10th).
But in his last 28 games, that near-.300 average crafted for the first part of the season as fallen to .263. In those 28 games, he’s batted .173 (18-for-104). In his last four games, he’s 3-for-16. He’s also struck out in four of his last 12 at-bats.
The numbers are worrisome. That’s the primary reason Bochy is giving Taveras some extra rest.
“I just want to give Leo a little break here,” Bochy said. “I mean, the numbers show that he hasn’t quite been what he was earlier in the season.”
Bochy said the mental break of not being on the field every day can be just as important as the actual physical break.
Plus, Martinez’s play makes it easier to give Taveras some time to rejuvenate his swing.
The Rangers called Martinez up last Friday for Travis Jankowski, who went on the paternity list. When Jankowski returned on Monday, the Rangers opted to send infielder Jonathan Ornelas back to Triple-A Round Rock and kept Martinez.
He earned the spot. After going hitless in his MLB debut, Martinez batted .500 in his next five games, going 8-for-16 with a double, two RBI and a walk. He even recorded his first career pinch-hit against the Angels.
He failed to get a hit in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, but drove in a run in the ninth on a groundout.
His versatility helps the entire outfield rotation. He’s already started games at all three positions and given the Rangers a jolt at the perfect time, as they’re locked in a race with the Houston Astros in the American League West that figures to go the distance.
“When you bring somebody up like Martinez and he does such a great job, you have the luxury of being able to do that,” Bochy said.
That, in this case, is get Taveras some rest. But neither center fielder is going anywhere.
“They’re all going to be important pieces of the puzzle,” Bochy said.
The Rangers (72-50) take on Milwaukee in the second game of the series Saturday at 3:05 p.m. at Globe Life Field.
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