Rangers Call Up Gallo

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With third baseman Adrian Beltre lost for three weeks due to a left thumb injury, the Texas Rangers turned to their top prospect.

Beltre landed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, and the Rangers announced that they will promote third baseman Joey Gallo from Double-A Frisco.

Gallo, 21, was hitting .314 with a .425 on-base percentage, a .636 slugging percentage, nine homers and 31 RBIs in 34 games for Frisco this season. He will take over as the regular third baseman in Beltre’s absence before returning to the minor leagues.

“We called him up with the intent that he’s going to play,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “He will come up here and get some first-hand experience and knowledge on speed of the game, how pitchers are going to attack him, see other guys’ success and see how they handle it, see other guys fail and see how they handle it.

“The whole deal. Work with the big-league coaching staff, the travel, all the things he’s heard about but can’t experience first-hand without being here. When the time does come and he goes back to the minor leagues, he’ll have a clear idea of what he needs to continue to work on.”

Daniels said of Beltre and his eventual return: “He’s going to get his job back. There’s not going to be any quarterback controversy.”

A supplemental first-round draft pick in 2012, Gallo hit 40 homers in the low minors in 2013, then hit 42 homers last year combined between Class A and Double-A.

The team said Beltre has a sprained and lacerated left thumb, an injury he sustained while he was sliding into second base Sunday against the Boston Red Sox. Beltre was seeking a second opinion.

After the game Sunday, the Rangers announced X-rays were negative and team Dr. Keith Meister diagnosed a sprain. Beltre was fitted for a splint and also needed four stitches for a cut he sustained on the play.

He has played in all 51 games this season, hitting .257 with six home runs and 18 RBIs.