Leody Taveras News: Homers in return to lineup

Taveras started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Athletics.

Taveras, who had been held out of the starting nine the previous three games, returned to action and belted his first homer of the season. The blast pushed his batting average up to .200 (13-for-65) with a 1:19 BB:K, which partially explains why Kevin Pillar, Josh Smith and Dustin Harris started in center field the previous three contests. The switch-hitting Taveras typically sits against lefties, but the Rangers faces righties in two of those three games. Smith is now needed at shortstop to cover for Corey Seager (hamstring), so Taveras' outlook for playing time could improve even if his struggles at the plate continue.