Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young clarified the timeline for the potential return of Mitch Garver to the lineup.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said Monday that catcher Mitch Garver is still a couple of weeks away from a rehab assignment for his injured knee.
Garver was moved to the 10-day injured list on April 10 with a mild left knee sprain. While he has been working out regularly the past couple of weeks — he took batting practice at Globe Life Field on Monday before the 12-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves — he’s not ready to go to an affiliate to get at-bats and time behind the plate.
“He continues to make progress,” Young said.
Garver was batting .263 with two home runs and six RBI at the time of the injury. Since then the Rangers have used Sandy León as the primary backup to Jonah Heim. The Rangers also called up Sam Huff last week after Travis Jankowski was put on the 10-day injured list.
Garver was reportedly on a path to go on a rehab assignment around May 23. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy provided that date during the 10-game road trip last week. Young said this doesn’t necessarily represent a push-back on Garver’s timeline.
“I wouldn’t say it’s pushed back, but just that I think (monitoring Garver) will continue,” Young said. “I guess we’re a week away from that (May 23). I was thinking end of May as realistically when he’s out of rehab. But it’s in that timeline.”
The Rangers traded for Garver last offseason and he missed the majority of the season with a right flexor tendon injury, which required surgery. He returned and ramped up well during Spring Training, getting back behind the plate and serving as a designated hitter. He made the Opening Day roster.
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