Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Thursday that outfielder Julio Borbon might need surgery to stabilize his badly sprained left ankle.
The 25-year-old landed on the minor league disabled list a few days before the All-Star break after having to be removed from a Triple-A game on a stretcher.
If Borbon undergoes the procedure, he would be sidelined for another six-to-eight weeks.
Endy Chavez took over starting center field duties in Arlington, Texas when Borbon was optioned to the minor leagues in early June. If Chavez now falters or suffers an injury of his own, the Rangers may have no choice but to turn to Cuban defector Leonys Martin. That is, unless Borbon avoids the surgery.
A former supplemental first-round pick, Borbon has registered an underwhelming .284/.324/.358 batting line through 745 career major league plate appearances. He does have 40 stolen bases in 53 chances.