The Rangers may have to consider finding a way to get OF/DH Andruw Jones on the field more regularly. Jones hit .500 through the first two weeks of the season with a .650 on-base percentage and a 1.650 OPS. The options would be to either move Jones to left field to split time more regularly with Marlon Byrd or to have him at DH with Hank Blalock taking some playing time from struggling 1B Chris Davis. Jones received an intentional walk in a key situation on Wednesday, shortly before RF Nelson Cruz hit a game-changing grand slam. It was the first intentional walk Jones received since late in the 2007 season. Afterward, several teammates said that opponents were once again respecting Jones as a hitter.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Kris Benson's next start will be pushed back because of elbow tendinitis. Benson was scheduled to pitch Wednesday at Toronto. Instead, the Rangers will move up LHP Matt Harrison, RHP Kevin Millwood and RHP Vicente Padilla one day each. Benson would slide back to Saturday. If he's not available by then, rookie LHP Derek Holland might become an option.
--SS Elvis Andrus is off to a Rookie of the Year type start. The 20-year-old Andrus hit .353 in the first two weeks of the season. The Rangers have gone longer than any other team in baseball since having a Rookie of the Year. Mike Hargrove (1974) is the only Ranger to ever win the award.
--RHP Brandon McCarthy, who starts Tuesday in Toronto, has held hitters to a .220 batting average in his first two starts but has struggled with walks -- seven in 11 innings. McCarthy is seeking his first road victory since July 31, 2007.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Kris Benson (right elbow tendinitis) was moved back in the rotation and is scheduled to pitch
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, but he strained a muscle in his side. He's not expected back before May 1.
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
LHP Derek Holland
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
