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Travis Jankowski returns to Rangers after parental leave, gives insight into being MLB dad

Jankowski left the team last week for the birth of his child Thursday.

ARLINGTON -- Travis Jankowski returned to the Rangers’ clubhouse Monday to a congratulatory reception.

He returned from paternity leave after the Thursday birth of his fourth child. Despite making a cross-country trip to the family’s home in Pennsylvania, the situation worked out for Jankowski with the birth coming on an off day for the Rangers. Either way, Jankowski, 32, was thankful he could witness the special moment.

“Anytime you get to witness the miracle of birth it’s special, so it was awesome,” Jankowski said.

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His newborn daughter, Wrenlyn, was born at 5 p.m. Thursday after his wife, Lindsey, was induced at 10 a.m. that morning. Jankowski said both Wrenlyn and Lindsey are doing well after the birth. When asked about the challenges and stress of playing while having young children, Jankowski credited his support system back home.

“My wife, she’s a trooper, she’s a champ. I don’t know how she does it. God bless her I wouldn’t be able to do it,” Jankowski said. “She’s raising now four kids, pretty much solo while I’m on the road.”

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Though Jankowski’s family lives in Pennsylvania, he still sees them every two weeks when they come to visit him. Despite the regular visits, Jankowski still acknowledged the challenges that come with having a young family while playing.

“Every two weeks we try and make a visit where they come out here so I get to spend time with them, but it’s two weeks alone raising four kids, one of them being three days old. I know it’s not easy,” Jankowski said.

Jankowski was not in the Rangers’ lineup Monday versus the Angels, but will be available off the bench, according to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. He is currently batting .292 with one home run and 25 RBIs in 192 at-bats this season, while leading the team in stolen bases with 16.

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On Twitter: @peter_rauterkus

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