Jeff Baker is taking off for the Texas Rangers
31-year old righty swinging infielder Jeff Baker is getting his big shot to play due to the injury to 1B Mitch Moreland. Baker has played in 8 games so far in June for the Rangers and he is 7 for 27 (.259 avg, 1.051 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 4 homers and 7 RBIs. Baker has now played in 36 games for the Rangers so far this year and he is 26 of 78 (.333 avg, 1.140 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 9 homers and 16 RBIs. Baker has been sharing P.T. with 25-year old lefty swinging 1B Chris McGuiness, who was called up to replace Mitch Moreland on the active roster. McGuiness has played in 3 games for the Rangers so far this year and he is 2 for 8 (.250 avg, .625 OPS) with 1 RBI. He has also played in 55 games in AAA-ball so far this year and he is 53 of 193 (.275 avg, .858 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 6 homers and 34 RBIs. The Rangers hope that Baker and McGuiness can keep up the good work while Mitch Moreland is out of action.
UPDATE: (6/19/2013) - The Rangers have placed Jeff Baker on the 15-day disabled list due to a sprained right thumb. Baker has played in 37 games for the Rangers so far this year and he is 26 of 82 (.317 avg, 1.086 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 9 homers and 16 RBIs.