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: --OF/DH Andruw Jones, who got his first start of the season in the field, had to leave Wednesday's game after eight innings with a bruised right knee. He will be re-evaluated Thursday. OF David Murphy replaced Jones and struck out on three pitches to extend his hitless streak to 0-for-19 for the season.
--RHP Kris Benson was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 16. Benson, who is bothered by right elbow tendinitis, was originally scheduled to pitch Wednesday but had been pushed back to Saturday. He threw a bullpen session Wednesday morning and still reported soreness. He will return to Texas to be examined by team physician Keith Meister. RHP Scott Feldman, who was moved to the bullpen when the Rangers added Benson to the roster, is scheduled to take Benson's spot in the rotation Saturday in Baltimore.
--CF Josh Hamilton didn't start Wednesday due to what was described as bruised ribs. Hamilton, however, had been in 1-for-16 slump entering Wednesday and the Rangers were facing a left-handed starter. He grounded out as a pinch hitter.
MEDICAL WATCH:
CF Josh Hamilton (bruised ribs) didn't start April 22 but appeared as a pinch hitter.
OF/DH Andruw Jones (bruised right knee) left the April 22 game. He will be re-evaluated April 23.
RHP Willie Eyre (sore right groin) left the April 22 game when he aggravated an injury that had bothered him this spring.
RHP Kris Benson (right elbow tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 16.
RHP Dustin Nippert (upper back soreness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 22. He began a rehab assignment with Class AA Frisco on April 11, but he strained a muscle in his side.
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 Scott Feldman
LHP Matt Harrison
BULLPEN:
RHP Frank Francisco (closer)
LHP C.J. Wilson
LHP Eddie Guardado
LHP Derek Holland
RHP Jason Jennings
RHP Willie Eyre
RHP Darren O'Day
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
