ARLINGTON -- Veteran catcher Jeff Mathis¡¯ first season with the Rangers is coming to a close. He has a strained lower back that could keep him out four to five days or longer, a .158 batting average that frustrates him and a manager who enthusiastically sings his praises.

Mathis is also signed for next season at $3 million, and if the Rangers are thinking of eating that salary in the hopes of finding an upgrade, manager Chris Woodward insists he would be vehemently opposed.

¡°I would definitely speak up if they were thinking about not bringing him back,¡± Woodward said Sunday morning. ¡°If they were considering that, I would be against that, because of what he means to that clubhouse is a lot.¡±

Mathis was asked how he viewed his season.

¡°I feel like you know the answer to that,¡± Mathis said. ¡°We are not in the playoffs, No. 1, and No. 2, the offense speaks for itself. So you can take that however you want to.¡±

The Rangers have never agonized over his offense because they feel strongly about his defense, and ability to work with the pitching staff.

"That¡¯s something I was brought in to do, but [also] be well-rounded and do a bit more offensively,¡± Mathis said. ¡°That¡¯s where the frustrations are coming from. From a defensive side and the pitching side, I feel I¡¯ve gotten on the same page with some of these guys. We¡¯ve had some success with some of them, but we also have some work to do.¡±

Woodward was more effusive in looking at what Mathis has done for the Rangers.

"I know offensively he didn¡¯t have the year he wanted,¡± Woodward said. ¡°But I think from a leadership standpoint and what he has done behind the plate, it¡¯s obviously what we expected. Solidified the position, really worked well with the pitchers.

¡°He means a lot to this ballclub. When he walks in the door, everybody loves him, everybody respects him. It doesn¡¯t matter ... pitchers, position players, anybody in between, everybody respects him, everybody calls him captain. A veteran presence much needed, especially going into this year with so many younger guys. He provides a lot for us.¡±

Woodward said he would like to lessen Mathis¡¯ workload next season. The 36-year-old has played in 86 games this season and started 76 -- his most since 2011, when he got 79 starts and 91 total games.

¡°That was a lot to ask of him, to play that many games,¡± Woodward said. ¡°But I think he¡¯ll be better offensively. It was just one of those years where he didn¡¯t get it going."

Rangers watching catching situation

Woodward said the Rangers expect Mathis to be sidelined four to five days. Jose Trevino started at catcher on Sunday with Isiah Kiner-Falefa at third base. Kiner-Falefa is the Rangers' only backup, but hasn¡¯t been behind the plate at the big league level since June 6.

¡°I¡¯m ready if they need me,¡± Kiner-Falefa said. ¡°I¡¯m always ready. That¡¯s why I am here.¡±

The Rangers do not have another catcher on the 40-man roster, but could add Tim Federowicz if needed. He finished the season at Triple-A Nashville. The Rangers are off on Monday and Thursday so they could wait to see how long Mathis needs. But it is unusual for a team not to have a third catcher on the big league team with the expanded September rosters.

¡°We are looking into it,¡± Woodward said. ¡°We are going to monitor Jeff to see if he is going to be okay. If it¡¯s anything more than four or five days, we have to get somebody else.¡±

Rangers beat:

? Hunter Pence, sidelined with a strained lower back, is still not ready to resume baseball activities and time seems to be running out on him being able to play again this season.

? The Rangers officially recalled Joe Palumbo from Nashville on Sunday after he was activated from the Minor League injured list. He had been sidelined with a blister on his left thumb. The left-hander fired two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Texas' 6-1 loss to Oakland.

? Infielder Logan Forsythe remains day to day with tightness in his left intercostal muscle.