Mitch Moreland to open Rangers season on DL?

While clubs across baseball are worried about their pitchers’ arms falling off, the Rangers are just hoping to put people on the field or at the plate.

Coming in the same news piece that said Elvis Andrus was going to be shut down for at least four days, Evan Grant also speculates that Mitch Moreland will begin the season on the Rangers’ Disabled List. The DH/1B/OF suffered an oblique strain in the 6-0 loss against the Royals Monday night early in the game. According to manager Ron Washington, Moreland went into the corner to grab a ball and felt something tweak on the throw back into the infield.

The injury is diagnosed as an oblique strain, the same injury that set right fielder Alex Rios back eight days at the beginning of camp. The Rangers are awaiting something more official, but the idea that Moreland might not be on the Opening Day roster is a real possibility. Moreland has a history of winding up on the disabled list, but usually something happens during the middle of the season. Before he winds up on the DL, Moreland is typically on an outstanding tear, but upon returning, he struggles to find his stroke again.

The only positive that could be garnered from this news is that it may open more at-bats up for trade acquisition Michael Choice, who has been lighting Rangers’ camp on fire with his performance this Spring.