The news that Jarrod Saltalamacchia was looking at a stay on the DL has come true. The Rangers have played the backstop on the 15 day DL with what is being called upper back stiffness.
Taylor Teagarden will see the bulk of playing time behind home plate while Matt Treanor has been called up from Triple-A.
Saltalamacchia and Teagarden were in a platoon at catcher to start the season while the Rangers attempted to figure out which player would get the bulk of the playing time. While this is a bad break for Saltalamacchia, it gives Teagarden an obvious chance to put him name at the top of the depth chart.
Treanor who will be the backup catcher was acquired in a trade with Milwaukee on March 19. He was picked up by the organization after they had concerns over the health of Saltalamacchia during spring training.
Saltalamacchia had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrone last year. He drove in the winning run on opening day with a single in the ninth and struck out in a pinch hit at-bat yesterday. It’s unclear exactly how long he will be out for.