Rangers' Gallo misses third game due to groin strain

Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo missed his third straight game with a groin strain Sunday and his status for Opening Day is uncertain. Gallo, 25, is coming off back-to-back 40-homer seasons. He batted .206 with a career-high 92 RBIs in 148 games in 2018.

Gallo suffered the injury in Thursday's exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs. An MRI exam revealed a mild strain and the club is hopeful the outfielder can return to the lineup next week. "It could go a lot of ways," assistant general manager Shiraz Reham told the Dallas Morning News. "We're trying to take it a little slow in spring training rather than rush it and have to deal with something during the regular season."

Gallo is batting .241 with four RBIs in 34 plate appearances over 12 games this spring. The Rangers open the regular season at home against the Cubs on March 28.