--OF Josh Hamilton reported improvement in his sore ribcage muscle a day after beginning a new anti-inflammatory medication. The Rangers are holding off placing Hamilton on the disabled list even though he hasn't started a game since Saturday. Manager Ron Washington said he might be willing to wait all the way through the weekend if Hamilton continues to show progress.

--RHP Kris Benson, who has been on the disabled list for nearly two weeks with elbow tendinitis, will throw a bullpen session Thursday, and the Rangers will then re-evaluate his status. It's likely that Benson will have to make at least one rehab start before rejoining the rotation, which probably means he won't return before the middle of next week.

--RHP Luis Mendoza, who was called up April 23, still has not appeared in a game. Mendoza had pitched 10 1/3 scoreless innings for Class AAA Oklahoma City before the Rangers added him to the bullpen. Over the last week, Rangers starters have pitched at least into the seventh inning four times and have gotten through at least five innings in all six games. That's eliminated the need for a long reliever.

MEDICAL WATCH:

OF Josh Hamilton (sore ribs) left the April 25 game, and he didn't start April 26-28. He remains day-to-day.

RHP Kris Benson (right elbow tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 16. He threw a bullpen session April 28, and he will throw another April 30.

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 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