--OF David Murphy, on the disabled list for the past 10 days with a strained knee, has started taking some light swings, but he hasn't started any running yet. It is unlikely Murphy would return before Sept. 1.

--DH/OF Milton Bradley made four plate appearances before exiting the game with Texas holding a big lead. Bradley has either been scratched or left early in five of the Rangers' last 10 games. When he has taken the equivalent of a full complement of plate appearances (at least four in a game), the Rangers are averaging 7.5 runs per game; in the other five games when he either hasn't played or has only made a cameo appearance, the club is averaging five runs per game.

--The Rangers are expected to tie the club record for most players used in a season this weekend when RHP Brandon McCarthy is activated from the disabled list. McCarthy would be the 52nd player used. The team matched that in 1992, 2003 and 2004. If the Rangers call up any "new" players for September, they'll set a team mark.

BY THE NUMBERS: 14 -- Starting pitchers used by the Rangers this season through Aug. 17. Dustin Nippert became No. 14 on Sunday. The Rangers will go to 15 on Aug. 23 when Brandon McCarthy is activated for the first time this season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He has said he wants to take a system-wide new approach to pitching. He's going to be involved in conditioning and things like that. He doesn't really believe in the idea of limiting pitchers to 100 pitches per outing. He wants our guys to be better conditioned, stronger and have more stamina. They sound like smart ideas to me." -- Owner Tom Hicks, talking about the new tack president Nolan Ryan wants to take at trying to improve the league's worst pitching staff.