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: --DH Hank Blalock, who was scheduled to start at first base for the first time this season, was a late scratch because of a stiff neck and upper back spasm. Blalock will be re-evaluated Tuesday, but he still had a lot of difficult moving after 90 minutes of treatment.
--1B Chris Davis, who was in a 1-for-21 slump, was scheduled to get the night off, but he was a late addition after Hank Blalock came down with a stiff neck. After a lengthy early hitting session to try to improve his timing, Davis responded with three hits, including his first home run of the season.
--RHP Jason Jennings pitched a scoreless inning and continues to make a strong bid to become an integral member of the Rangers' late-inning relief group. Jennings struck out three (one reached on a wild pitch) in his inning of work. He has not allowed an earned run in 3 l/3 innings this season. He has six strikeouts.
MEDICAL WATCH:
DH Hank Blalock (stiff neck and upper back spasm) was scratched from the lineup April 13. He will be re-evaluated April 14.
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 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.
RHP Eric Hurley (rotator cuff surgery in January 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list April 5. He is out for the year.
ROTATION:
RHP Kevin Millwood
RHP Vicente Padilla
RHP Brandon McCarthy
RHP Kris Benson
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
CATCHERS:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Taylor Teagarden
INFIELDERS:
1B Chris Davis
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
3B Michael Young
INF Omar Vizquel
OUTFIELDERS:
LF David Murphy
CF Josh Hamilton
RF Nelson Cruz
DH Hank Blalock
OF Andruw Jones
OF Marlon Byrd
