ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers slugger Jeff Baker sprained his right thumb receiving a high-five from a teammate and was not in the lineup Friday night against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Baker says the injury occurred before Thursday night’s game against Toronto. He wouldn’t identify the teammate, only saying he was “over-excited” when giving out the high-five.
The 31-year-old Baker, a right-handed hitter, says the thumb is swollen and he can’t grip a bat.
Baker is hitting .317 with nine home runs and 16 RBIs. He has played five positions for the Rangers this season and was expected to start Friday against Toronto left-hander Mark Buehrle.
