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 Willie Eyre was placed on the disabled list with a strained groin muscle. The Rangers recalled RHP Luis Mendoza from Class AAA Oklahoma City to replace Eyre. Mendoza began the season with 10 1/3 scoreless innings in the minors.
--LHP Kason Gabbard's contract was sold to the Red Sox. Gabbard, who was acquired from Boston in 2007, failed in his attempt to transition into a reliever with the Rangers. Gabbard had allowed 11 walks in six innings at Class AAA Oklahoma City this season.
--OF/DH Andruw Jones, who left Wednesday's game early with a bruised knee, pinch-hit and played first base late in Thursday's loss. It was the first time in his career Jones played first base.
MEDICAL WATCH:
CF Josh Hamilton (bruised ribs) didn't start April 22 but appeared as a pinch hitter. He was back in the lineup April 23.
OF/DH Andruw Jones (bruised right knee) left the April 22 game. He entered the April 23 game as a sub.
RHP Willie Eyre (right groin strain) went on the 15-day disabled list April 23. He had begun the season on the DL with the same injury.
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 Luis Mendoza
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
