Texas Rangers utility man Jeff Baker did not play on Friday because he was unable to grab a bat after spraining his thumb receiving a high-five from a teammate on Thursday. Seriously.
Baker has been Mr. Versatile for the Rangers this season, starting games at both corner infield and outfield spots, as well as second base and DH. He is hitting .317 with nine home runs, and he has been particularly effective against lefties. Baker is batting .386 with eight of his homers coming off lefties, while he is hitting just .237 against right-handed pitchers.
Baker told reporters that his thumb was injured by a teammate who gave him an enthusiastic high-five before Thursday’s game against Toronto.
“I was giving my teammate a high five and the teammate was a little overexcited for whatever reason and bent my thumb back from my hand to my wrist,” Baker said, via FOX Sports Southwest. “I’m not too happy about it.”
Baker likely would have been in the lineup on Friday against lefty Mark Buehrle if not for the sprained thumb.
The Rangers already have Ian Kinsler and Mitch Moreland on the disabled list, so the last thing they needed was to lose one of their guys to a high-five. Actually, losing a guy to a high-five is the last thing anyone needs.
