Choo on mission to get ready for postseason

OAKLAND — Shin-Soo Choo has left the Rangers and is headed to Arizona for three days of Instructional League.

Choo is recovering from a broken left forearm and the Rangers want to find out if he can be ready for the postseason. Choo is hoping to play as soon as Friday against the Rays, but the Rangers are waiting to see how he performs in Instructional League games.

Choo will bat leadoff in every inning and play the outfield.

“The plan is to start with three days and then we’ll make a decision,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “It’s probably a little more accelerated situation. We don’t have a lot of time. He is going to have to get as many at-bats as he can.”

Choo is one reason Banister said setting the postseason roster will be “extremely challenging.” The Rangers still have decisions to make on reliever Tony Barnette, who has been sidelined for three weeks with a strained muscle in his left side, and Jeremy Jeffress, who hasn’t pitched in a game since Aug. 23 while dealing with personal issues. The Rangers are also using the final week to see if Derek Holland can pitch out of the bullpen.

“It’s about putting feelings aside and putting the best 25 out there going forward who will give us the best opportunity in all situations,” Banister said. “It’s about winning a series.”

The Rangers also have to decide when Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish will make their …

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