--RHP Brandon McCarthy became the third consecutive Rangers starter to get the win, but he lasted only five innings. McCarthy has long had a problem with high pitch counts, and he ran up 105 pitches (an average of 21 per inning). He did, however, strike out seven batters, which was just one shy of his career high.

--C Jarrod Saltalamacchia reported significant improvement with the dizziness and lightheadedness that forced him out of Wednesday's game. Saltalamacchia did not play Thursday, but that had been planned. He is expected back in the starting lineup Friday.

--RHP Kris Benson, who starts against Detroit on Friday, will be making his first major league appearance since Sept. 27, 2006, while with Baltimore. Benson had elbow and rotator cuff surgery on March 20, 2007.

--SS Omar Vizquel, 41, made his Rangers debut Thursday. He became the first player to ever appear in at least one game at shortstop in 21 seasons. Vizquel, who spent most of his career with Cleveland, was 2-for-4 with a walk.

--RHP Willie Eyre (sore right groin) began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Oklahoma on Thursday. He faced three batters, striking out two and walking one.

--RHP Dustin Nippert, sidelined due to a back injury, will make a rehab start Saturday for Class AA Frisco.

MEDICAL WATCH:

C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (dizziness) left the April 8 game, and he didn't play April 9. He hopes to return April 10.

RHP Willie Eyre (sore right groin) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Oklahoma on April 9.

RHP Dustin Nippert (upper back soreness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class AA Frisco on April 11.

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