Laird headed to DL; Ramirez coming

The Rangers placed catcher Gerald Laird on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled left hamstring after Friday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals and will recall Max Ramirez from Double A Frisco.

The injury was described as minor during the game, but manager Ron Washington said otherwise after the 14-inning loss at Nationals Park.

"He pulled it," Washington said. "It's bad. It's not a day-to-day thing."

Laird was injured in the fourth inning while legging out a bunt single. He said he felt the hamstring tighten two strides before the bag, then pull on his last step.

"I said to myself, 'This is not happening right now,' " Laird said. "It's disappointing. It's tough to swallow. I felt like I was playing pretty well."

The bunt hit and a double in the second inning pushed Laird's average to .306. He said he is also playing well defensively and feels like he has built a good catcher-pitcher relationship with the staff.

"I just love being out there," Laird said. "I love playing."

Rangers trainers will hit the hamstring with ice Saturday before sending Laird back to Arlington on Sunday for an MRI on Monday. He was given no timetable by trainer Jamie Reed, and Laird's goal is to return July 18 when the Rangers resume action after the All-Star break.

"He [Reed] said that could be realistic," Laird said.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who replaced Laird in the fourth, could be headed toward everyday catching duties, but Ramirez probably won't just sit on the bench.

Ramirez was hitting .363 for the RoughRiders with 17 homers and 50 RBI. He hit a three-run shot Friday before being pulled from the game against Corpus Christi.

Comments

[Charlie.Clark, ARLINGTON, VA]

No problem - just wanted to get something off my chest so no need to post anything - OK.