--RHP Jason Jennings, who had been bidding for a job in the rotation, will open the season in Texas' bullpen. Jennings earned the role by posting a 1.98 ERA this spring.

--RHP Casey Daigle, who was reassigned to the Rangers' minor league camp earlier this spring, was released on April 2. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2006.

--RHP Willie Eyre (sore groin) and RHP Dustin Nippert (upper back soreness) are expected to open the season on the disabled list, GM Jon Daniels said. Nippert had to cut short a March 27 bullpen session due to the ailment.

--RHP Doug Mathis was optioned to Class AAA Oklahoma immediately after allowing three runs in four innings against the Angels. He had a 6.75 ERA this spring.

--RHP Derrick Turnbow's 8.10 spring ERA short-circuited his chances of making the Rangers as a non-roster player. He agreed to accept an assignment to Class AAA Oklahoma.

--3B Travis Metcalf, who has spent parts of the past two seasons with Class AAA Oklahoma and Texas, will open the 2009 season in Oklahoma. The Rangers optioned him to their top minor league affiliate after he hit .197 in Cactus League play.

--LHP Kason Gabbard, recovering from left elbow surgery performed last summer, was outrighted to Class AAA Oklahoma after clearing waivers. He has been slowed by the elbow through most of the spring.

--1B Chris Davis left the March 30 game with a left patella tendon injury. The team termed Davis' exit precautionary, but he didn't play the next day.

--OF Andruw Jones appeared likely to make the team and be the DH/cleanup hitter, at least against left-handed pitching, only a few days after the Rangers seemed on the verge of cutting ties with him. The Rangers explained to Jones earlier in the week they did not have a full-time job for him, but Jones expressed a willingness to remain with the team. It likely leaves OF-DH Frank Catalanotto without a job. The club is willing to eat a good portion of Catalanotto's remaining $6 million in salary and buyout clauses but has not yet found a taker for him.

--The Rangers have sorted through their catching situation. C Max Ramirez was optioned to Class AAA Oklahoma and C Adam Melhuse was told he would not make the Opening Day roster. The Rangers will go with C Jarrod Saltalamacchia as the starter and C Taylor Teagarden as the backup. The division of playing time has not yet been determined. Melhuse has told the Rangers he doesn't have much interest in going to Class AAA.

--RHP Brendan Donnelly was released from his minor league contract when it became apparent he would not crack the bullpen mix. Donnelly allowed 14 baserunners in six innings this spring.

--Rangers owner Tom Hicks confirmed that he is investigating the possibility of selling up to 44 more percent of the club, which would result in him owning as little as 51 percent. Hicks said there is no reason for him to have sole ownership of the club but maintained that he will not give up any control.

BY THE NUMBERS: 13.15 -- Average at-bats per home run for OF Andruw Jones in the cleanup spot. Among active hitters with at least 900 plate appearances, it ranks fourth behind Ryan Howard (11.63), Jim Thome (11.87) and Prince Fielder (12.93). The three hitters ahead of Jones are all left-handed hitters. The Rangers are looking at Jones as a possible cleanup hitter.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I've got to take the fastball and go right after hitters. I have to pitch to contact and trust my stuff. Whatever happens after that happens." -- RHP Josh Rupe, who might be losing his spot in the Rangers' bullpen.