The Rangers have serious bullpen issues. Closer Frank Francisco and converted starter Jason Jennings combined to pitch 4 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run in the first week. But the other five members of the bullpen -- LHP C.J. Wilson, LHP Eddie Guardado, RHP Scott Feldman, RHP Josh Rupe and RHP Warner Madrigal -- compiled a composite 12.70 ERA for 11 1/3 innings of work. They complicated matters by allowing 12 "free" bases on walks or hit batsman. The Rangers have two relievers, RHPs Dustin Nippert and RHP Willie Eyre, who began rehab assignments over the weekend and could be in the majors by the end of the week if the bullpen doesn't work out the kinks. The state of the bullpen was considered the biggest unsolved issue at the end of spring training.
PLAYER NEWS: --1B Chris Davis is expected to get Monday off while he tries to work on his swing. Davis has been late on fastballs through the first week of the season and is off to a 1-for-21 start with 10 strikeouts. DH Hank Blalock will likely move to first with OF Marlon Byrd or Andruw Jones taking over at DH.
--C Jarrod Saltalamacchia has struggled at the plate since leaving Wednesday's game early with some dizziness. Saltalamacchia is hitless in 11 at-bats since the dizzy spell. The bottom third of the Rangers lineup -- 1B Chris Davis, Saltalamacchia and SS Elvis Andrus -- were a combined 2-for-31 in the Detroit series. Andrus, a 20-year-old rookie, had both hits.
MEDICAL WATCH:
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 began 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
