--Though they both were in new positions, 3B Michael Young and DH Hank Blalock each made their eighth consecutive opening-day start for the Rangers. Only two players have started more consecutive openers: C Jim Sundberg (nine, 1975-83) and C Ivan Rodriguez (11, 1992-2002).

--RHP Vicente Padilla, who is scheduled to start Wednesday, made the Rangers a good team in his starts last year. Padilla went 14-8, but the club was 19-10 in his starts. The Rangers are 45-40 with Padilla on the mound since he joined them. Conversely, the club is only 47-48 with ace RHP Kevin Millwood on the mound.

--2B Ian Kinsler had three hits in Monday's opener, extending his opening-day hitting streak to all four openers in which he has played. Kinsler is 6-for-16 with a homer, two runs and three RBIs on opening day.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Willie Eyre (sore right groin) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27.

RHP Dustin Nippert (upper back soreness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27.

RHP Eric Hurley (rotator cuff surgery in January 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list April 5. He is out for the year.

RHP Joaquin Benoit (rotator cuff surgery in January 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list April 5. He is out for at least the first half of the season but could miss the entire year.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Kevin Millwood

2. RHP Vicente Padilla

3. RHP Brandon McCarthy

4. RHP Kris Benson

5. LHP Matt Harrison

BULLPEN:

RHP Frank Francisco (closer)

LHP C.J. Wilson

LHP Eddie Guardado

RHP Warner Madrigal

RHP Scott Feldman

RHP Josh Rupe

RHP Jason Jennings

LINEUP:

1. 2B Ian Kinser

2. 3B Michael Young

3. CF Josh Hamilton

4. DH Andruw Jones (vs. left-handers); DH Hank Blalock (vs. right)

5. RF Nelson Cruz

6. LF David Murphy (vs. right-handers); LF Marlon Byrd (vs. left)

7. 1B Chris Davis

8. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

9. SS Elvis Andrus

RESERVES:

C Taylor Teagarden

DH Hank Blalock/Andruw Jones

OF David Murphy/Marlon Byrd

INF Omar Vizquel