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: --The Rangers sought help for their beleaguered bullpen by activating RHP Willie Eyre from the disabled list and optioning struggling RHP Warner Madrigal to Class AAA Oklahoma. Eyre will be used as another of the "utility" multi-inning relievers the Rangers have come to count on. He pitched two scoreless innings Wednesday. Madrigal allowed four runs in 2 2/3 innings with Texas.
--RHP Kris Benson earned his first major league victory since Sept. 21, 2006, while with Baltimore. Benson threw 57 pitches in the first two innings but settled down and threw 54 over the next four. He was within one out of qualifying for a quality start before Chad Moeller homered for the Orioles' fourth run.
--C Jarrod Saltalamacchia was one of two Rangers not to hit safely Wednesday (3B Michael Young was the other). Saltalamacchia has been mired in a deep slump since a dizzy spell knocked him out of a game last week. He has one hit in his last 22 at-bats. Ranger catchers (Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden) have combined for a .143 average.
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, and he was activated April 15.
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 Scott Feldman
RHP Josh Rupe
RHP Jason Jennings
RHP Willie Eyre
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
