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: --RHP Frank Francisco continues to be the one reliable member of the Rangers bullpen. He pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings Tuesday. Since moving to the closer's role late last August, Francisco has not allowed an earned run in 15 games and a total of 15 1/3 innings. He has allowed just nine baserunners and is holding hitters to a .096 average while averaging 14.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
--C Jarrod Saltalamacchia broke out of an 0-for-16 slump with a single to lead off the 10th inning. Saltalamacchia had not reached base on a hit since a dizzy spell knocked him out of a game last week. The Rangers catching tandem of Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden had been in a composite 0-for-18 slump.
--RHP Brandon McCarthy became the second member of the rotation to record a quality start with six innings Tuesday. RHP Kevin Millwood has made quality starts in both of his outings. Two of McCarthy's five starts last year qualified as quality outings.
--DH Hank Blalock returned to the lineup after missing Monday's game with a stiff neck. Blalock was 1-for-5.
MEDICAL WATCH:
DH Hank Blalock (stiff neck and upper back spasm) was scratched from the lineup April 13. He returned to action 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
