The Rangers had a relatively pain-free spring training, but even without major injuries, the state of the bullpen might create a ripple effect throughout the pitching staff. With less than a week to go in spring training, the unsettled nature of the bullpen prompted the Rangers to move RHP Scott Feldman there to help create some stability.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Kris Benson made his first major league start since Sept. 27, 2006. Benson allowed eight runs on 10 hits in five innings. It's the highest total of runs he has allowed since April 14, 1999, when he was with Pittsburgh.
--LF Marlon Byrd started for the third time in the first four games. Entering the season, it seemed like OF David Murphy would get the bulk of the playing time in left, but Byrd had a strong performance in the season-opener against LHP Cliff Lee and followed it up with a five-RBI game Thursday. Manager Ron Washington said Murphy would play, but that he was going with the "hot bat" right now.
--1B Chris Davis has struggled badly through the first four games of the season. Davis struck out once during an 0-for-4 performance on Friday. He is only 1-for-15 (.067) with six strikeouts.
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 Kinsler
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
