Texas Rangers’ Ron Washington plays Michael Young on short-stop in recent game – MLB News
The Texas Rangers put in a brilliant performance as they beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-4 in their last series of the season on Tuesday, September 27 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.
The American League West leaders walked out of the game having completely dominated the Angels. One thing was different about the fixture was the fact that Michael Young was playing short-stop.
Manager Ron Washington went to his locker room earlier to tell Young he was playing short-stop. The gaffer picked his designated hitter for the task to keep the options open for the upcoming play-offs. The Rangers will be looking to try different combinations
before they enter the play-offs.
"I just wanted to get Michael reacquainted with shortstop in case there is a need," Washington said. "The only way that's a need is if something happens to Elvis."
Elvis Andrus is the regular short-stop but there have been concerns on his replacement, Andres Blanco. The substitute is prone to injuries and Young provided the services on the position to give an edge in that area. The manager was open about Blanco’s predicament.
"He missed a whole lot of time," Washington said. "He has been hurt a lot."
Young is .338 in the season and his stint in the game brought in two hits from five at-bats, while he steered home one run and one RBI. The unofficial captain has been doing well this season and he has considerably reduced his strike-outs to just 78, compared
to 115 in 2010. The player was not surprised by the decision placed by Washington.
"It doesn't matter to me," Young said. "I like playing baseball in the big leagues. I just go out and play; whatever position they say is fine with me. I'll take ground balls, let my eyes get adjusted and then let my instincts kick in."
Young is up for the batting title and his chase for the prize puts him in the league of great hitters. The hard hitter is grouped with the likes of Adrian Gonzalez and Miguel Cabrera.
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