BOSTON (TICKER) — An injury to Royce Clayton is more serious than expected and will sideline the Texas Rangers shortstop from four to six weeks.
An MRI performed Monday revealed a torn muscle in the back of his right shoulder. Clayton was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with what was first diagnosed as a strained muscle behind his shoulder.
Clayton strained the latissimus dorsi muscle behind his right shoulder on April 7 and missed four games. He returned on April 13 but suffered a torn muscle making a throw in the first inning of Friday’s 7-5 win over the Cleveland Indians.
Clayton did not accompany the team for a road trip that begins tonight against the Red Sox. He will undergo daily rehab in Texas and should begin a throwing program in two to three weeks.
The Rangers, who acquired Clayton just before the trade deadline last season, signed him to a four-year, $18 million contract in the offseason. In 19 games this season, Clayton is struggling with a .150 batting average, two extra-base hits and just one RBI in 60 at-bats.
Texas obtained Clayton with righthander Todd Stottlemyre from St. Louis on July 31 for lefthander Darren Oliver and third baseman Fernando Tatis.
Clayton, 28, began his major league career with San Francisco in 1991 before being traded to the Cardinals after the 1995 season. He became the heir apparent to future Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, who retired after the 1996 campaign.
To replace Clayton, the Rangers recalled infielder Kelly Dransfeldt from Triple-A Oklahoma. Dransfeldt has three hits in 10 at-bats for the Rangers.