The Rangers continue to tweak their struggling bullpen, partly because of ineffectiveness and partly because of health. In one five-day span over the last 10 days, the Rangers added three pitchers to the bullpen: LHP Derek Holland (called up to make his major league debut), RHP Darren O'Day (claimed on waivers from the New York Mets) and RHP Luis Mendoza (called up from Triple-A). O'Day quickly appeared for the Rangers, getting into an extra-inning game just 20 minutes after arriving at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. He allowed a game-winning hit to Kevin Millar.
PLAYER NEWS: --CF Josh Hamilton was a late scratch from Monday's game with continued soreness in his left ribcage. X-rays showed no break, but Hamilton has had trouble breathing. He missed three starts on the seven-game trip and left one game early. Hamilton did not appear at all Monday, the first time this season he has not played.
--C Taylor Teagarden singled in his first at-bat Monday to end a streak of seven consecutive strikeouts. He was one shy of the club record set by Dave Hostetler in 1982. Teagarden did strike out twice Monday, but also had a pair of singles.
--2B Ian Kinsler went 0-for-4 to extend his latest hitless streak to 11 at-bats. It's the second 11-at-bat drought for Kinsler since he had hits in eight consecutive at-bats 10 days ago.
--RHP Frank Francisco locked down his 10th consecutive save, dating back to last year, though he put a pair of runners on base in the ninth inning. Francisco also extended his streak without allowing an earned run to 20 2/3 innings over his last 20 appearances. That streak coincides with Francisco taking over as the team's closer late last August.
MEDICAL WATCH:
OF Josh Hamilton (ribs) didn't play from April 25-27. He is day-to-day.
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
