Since Robinson Chirinos returned, Bryan Holaday has been Number 2 on the Rangers depth list for catchers. They seem to be utilizing him for Game 1 of each series.
On June 19, the Rangers faced the Cardinals in St. Louis. Holaday hit for Perez and had ground outs in the top of the 7th and top of the 9th. The Rangers won 5-4.
On June 26, Holaday faced the Red Sox at home. He walked in the bottom of the 4th, but got caught stealing second. He struck out in the bottom of the 7th. The Rangers won 6-2.
On July 2, the Rangers played the Twins on the road. Holaday was brought in to pitch in the bottom of the 7th. He took over with the Rangers down 17-5. He faced 4 batters: Santana in the bottom of the 7th; Centeno, Buxton, and Nunez. Santana flied out to left, Centeno flied out to center, Buxton popped out to second, and Nunez flied out to right. Not bad pitching for a guy who's usually behind the plate. I doubt the Rangers expected a great comeback at that point. Holaday was basically brought in to end the embarrassing amount of smackdown the Twins laying on the Rangers. The final score was still 17-5, but at least Holaday was able to get them through the inning and a half.
Oof. That's a catcher pitching (Bryan Holaday) & an honest-to-goodness position player (Eduardo Nunez) falling down. pic.twitter.com/JfNdLHwHBj
— Baseball Is Fun (@flippingbats) July 4, 2016
2nd time this season, 2nd time in five days, that Twins have faced position player on mound. Both Rangers: Bryan Holaday and Jared Hoying.
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) July 8, 2016
On July 4, the Rangers were in Boston to face the Red Sox again. Holaday was a pinch runner for Beltre in the top of the 9th, after Beltre hit a double to left. Unfortunately, the game ended when Fielder flied out. The Rangers lost 12-5.
On July 8, the Rangers placed Holaday on the 15-day DL for a bruised thumb. Fortunately, the All-Star break made up most of that anyway.
#TexasRangers #Rangers #Texas #mlb Rangers recall OF Jared Hoying, place C Bryan Holaday on disabled list https://t.co/BWFeJAFTgn
— Texas Rangers Fans (@TexRangersChat) July 6, 2016
Prior to the All-Star Break, Holaday's AVG was .238. He has 2 homeruns and 13 RBIs for the season.
Holaday has not yet returned from the DL. We hope to see him soon!