Willie Calhoun finally worked his way into being a main staple in the Texas Rangers lineup. But after fracturing his forearm when he was hit by pitch in Saturday’s game, he adds to a long list of unfortunate injuries he has suffered early on in his career.

This is the second time a hit by pitch will cause Calhoun to miss significant time.  On March 8, 2020, he was hit in the jaw by a Julio Urias fastball in one of the final spring training games of the season.

 

 

That seemed to start a string of injuries in 2020 for Calhoun.  Even with the start date of the season being pushed back due to COVID, he missed the beginning of the year with a hip flexor and would also miss most of the month of August with a hamstring injury.

He finished the 2020 season with a .190 batting average in only 29 games with just 13 RBI and one home run.

A groin strain caused Calhoun to miss the start of this season, so many feared the deja vu scenario of another slow year could be in the cards for Calhoun. This was not the case though, as he had earned a consistent role in the starting lineup with his play this season.

 

 

Calhoun had batted .254 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 59 games this year.  He found comfort in the leadoff spot and was on pace to outdo many of his 2019 numbers, which were the best of his career.

 

 

There is never a good time for injury, and Calhoun was playing some of his best baseball of the season before he went down.  In the seven games prior, he was batting .375 with a .438 slugging percentage and scored three runs.

Calhoun underwent surgery to repair the fractured ulna bone in his left arm on Tuesday. And while the Rangers have no timetable for his return, he appears to be in good spirits as he is hopeful to return before the end of the season.

 

 

The Rangers are in rebuild mode and Calhoun is going to be one of the most important pieces in getting the team back into playoff contention.  They acquired him a few years ago in a deal that sent Yu Darvish to the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

In years prior, the Rangers had too many options and not enough lineup spots, which many times left Calhoun as the odd man out of the starting lineup.  He made the most of his opportunity this season, and will look to continue his strong play when he returns to the team as well as into next season. 

Share This