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Columnist: Ex-employee tried to blackmail Rangers

Columnist: Rangers were blackmailed

03/19/2010

Washington admits he used amphetamines, marijuana as a player
Manager Ron Washington admitted Thursday that he used amphetamines and smoked marijuana during his playing days.

Hunter injury may put Wilson in Rangers' rotation
Another day, another drama for the Rangers.

Rangers spotlight: Starting catchers
The Rangers are still trying to find enough playing time for their catchers.

Game report: Rangers 6, Brewers 4
Matt Harrison certainly didn't hurt his bid to snare a spot in the Texas starting rotation Thursday night.

03/18/2010

Chat replay: Jon Daniels, Evan Grant answer Rangers questions

RON JENKINS / Special to DMN

Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels joined Evan Grant for a chat about the team and the Ron Washington situation. Click here to read it.

Rangers refute blackmail claim

Grant: Points to ponder

On Washington's future: Cowlishaw | Taylor

Video: Washington

Columnist: Ex-employee tried to blackmail Rangers over Ron Washington's cocaine use
Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Randy Galloway reported Thursday a former Rangers employee tried to blackmail the Rangers by threatening to expose Rangers manager Ron Washington's cocaine use.

Rangers' Tommy Hunter strains intercostal muscle
Rangers RHP Tommy Hunter was scratched from Thursday's start due to a strained intercostal (rib) muscle. He suffered the injury during his pre-game warmup session in the bullpen.

Jean-Jacques Taylor: Ron Washington finishes the season with Rangers
The Rangers have more athleticism than they've had in years, the bullpen is terrific and if the offense is just a little better, the Rangers will be in the hunt again in September. That means Washington isn't going anywhere.

Key points of the Ron Washington story and how they were handled

Now, that it's going on 24 hours since the story broke, maybe we can give it some intelligent thoughtful dissection. Here's an attempt at breaking down the key points and how they were handled.

Cowlishaw: Washington won't be here long

Washington admits using drug

Players: It's no issue

Washington expected to be fired

Cowlishaw: Reprieve may be short-lived

03/17/2010

Ron Washington should've been fired, no questions asked

DMN FILE PHOTO

The Rangers should've fired Ron Washington the day he admitted using cocaine before last year's All-Star break, writes Jean-Jacques Taylor.

Washington admits using drug

Washington expected to be fired

Audio: Evan Grant's reaction on The Ticket | More from Grant

Survey: Should he resign?

Rangers' players say Washington's misstep won't be an issue
The minute the Rangers clubhouse was opened Wednesday afternoon, the media went right for Josh Hamilton.

Chuck Greenberg had been made aware of Washington's positive test
Chuck Greenberg, the man who will be the Rangers' CEO if the transfer of ownership from Hicks Sports Group to his group of investors is approved, said Wednesday that he had been thoroughly briefed that manager Ron Washington had tested positive for cocaine last year.

03/18/2010

Q&A: MLB drug testing

Josh Hamilton feeling better, starts vs. Mariners
Left fielder Josh Hamilton started Wednesday night against Seattle, two days after behind plunked in the left hand and a day after suffering from a dental issue.

Ian Kinsler progressing
Second baseman Ian Kinsler, who suffered a high right ankle sprain last week, continued to see some progress but isn't ready to return to game action.

Game report: Rangers 8, Mariners 1
Nelson Cruz hit two home runs, and Josh Hamilton and Chris Davis also connected as the Texas Rangers scored eight times in the first six innings and cruised to an 8-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

03/17/2010

Ron Washington's reprieve may be short-lived

DMN FILE PHOTO

Now that the story of manager Ron Washington's failed drug test is public, how long the Rangers can afford to stand behind their man? Tim Cowlishaw's guess is not long.

Washington admits using drug

Players: It's no issue

Washington expected to be fired

Audio: Evan Grant's reaction on The Ticket | More from Grant

Taylor: Washington 'fully expected' to be fired

03/18/2010

Catcher Toby Hall throws to bags
Catcher Toby Hall, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, threw to the bases for the first time since suffering the injury last spring.

Rangers send seven players to minor leagues
The Rangers conducted their first roster trim of spring training when they sent seven players to their minor league camp.

Rangers' injury report

03/17/2010

Texas Rangers' Ron Washington apologizes for drug use last season

RON JENKINS / Special to DMN

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admitted Wednesday that he used an illegal drug in the first half of last season and tested positive for a random drug test.

Audio: Evan Grant's reaction on The Ticket | More from Grant

Survey: Should he resign?

Grant on the news conference

Ron Washington: 'I fully expected them to fire me'
Rangers manager Ron Washington said he's disappointed with himself for using cocaine, and that he "fully expected them (GM Jon Daniels and team president Nolan Ryan) to fire me," writes Jean-Jacques Taylor.

Ron Washington's statement
I am here today to apologize for a huge mistake I made during the first half of the season in 2009.

Jean-Jacques Taylor: C.J. Wilson worthy of Rangers rotation audition

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

C.J. Wilson has done everything needed to earn a spot in the rotation. He has the stuff to be in the top half of the rotation, and the Rangers would love to have at least one left-hander in the rotation, writes Jean-Jacques Taylor.

Wilson rotation experiment continues

Spotlight: Mitch Moreland

Game report: Cubs 4, Rangers 1

Neftali Feliz lasts only three innings

03/16/2010

Rangers' C.J. Wilson making serious bid for starting spot

C.J. Wilson, pictured here in a recent spring game, needed only four pitches to work four innings Tuesday. He didn't walk a batter.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Tuesday was the day when the Rangers would decide whether they should continue to experiment with C.J. Wilson as a possible starting pitcher. His four-inning relief outing was "splendid," pitching coach Mike Maddux said.

Cowlishaw: Things looking up for Chris Davis

Wilson showing he can handle starter's load

Spotlight: Mitch Moreland

Game report: Cubs 4, Rangers 1

Neftali Feliz lasts only three innings

Things are looking up for Rangers first baseman Chris Davis
For those who thought spring training in 2010 was all about Justin Smoak, the Rangers' first-round 2008 draft pick, taking control of first base, think again, writes Tim Cowlishaw. Chris Davis entered Tuesday's game against the Cubs hitting .538.

C.J. Wilson continues to show he can handle starter's workload
The race for the fifth spot in the Rangers' starting rotation is nearing the midway point, and C.J. Wilson is as curious as anyone to learn if he can build enough stamina to take the lead for good.

Rangers spotlight: Mitch Moreland
One of the strongest arms among Rangers prospects belongs to Mitch Moreland, who also swings one of the best bats among the organization's minor leaguers.

Facing Cubs, Rangers see familiar faces
The Rangers' bus pulled in to HoHoKam Park on Monday morning while the Chicago Cubs were taking batting practice.

Josh Hamilton's hand OK, mouth sore
Add a new ailment for Josh Hamilton this spring.

Rangers' injury update
The Rangers expect Ian Kinsler (right ankle sprain) to be their starting second baseman on opening day, even though he might play only a few Cactus League games the rest of the spring.

Infielder Matt Brown solidifying his bid to make roster
The Rangers have two spots open on their bench. One will go to a utility infielder who is primarily a shortstop. The other could go to a corner infielder.

Texas Rangers' Neftali Feliz lasts three innings
After two impressive innings Tuesday, RHP Neftali Feliz ran into trouble the second time he faced the Cubs lineup and used up his 60-pitch allotment in three innings. He did not pitch the fourth.

03/15/2010

Evan Grant's latest look at the Texas Rangers' roster

Brandon McCarthy is 13-15 with a 4.64 ERA in three seasons with the Texas Rangers.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Putting together a Texas Rangers starting rotation in spring training. Same problem. Different reasons. This year, it looks like they are going to have problems weeding it down to five pitchers, writes Evan Grant in his latest mock Rangers roster.

Cowlishaw: McCarthy should make rotation

Tim Cowlishaw: Rangers' Brandon McCarthy deserves rotation spot
The 5th spot should come down to Brandon McCarthy and Colby Lewis. I would lean towards McCarthy.

03/16/2010

Monday's Texas Rangers report: Hamilton struck on left hand, leaves game vs. SF
Left fielder Josh Hamilton was hit on the left hand by San Francisco rookie Madison Bumgarner and immediately removed from Monday night's game in the third inning. The initial report was a bruise, but he will be evaluated further.

Harden comfortable with his approach as spring rolls on
Reports have surfaced this spring suggesting that the Rangers should be concerned that their big free-agent pitching acquisition just doesn't have the same velocity he once did. Rich Harden just rolls his eyes. "It's all ridiculous," he says. "It's people who don't know anything about baseball. It's not all about velocity."

Rangers' prospect Kirkman fine after frightening moment
The marks on the left side of Michael Kirkman's head are only visible up close. But there are a few red reminders from the batted ball that struck the left-hander near his ear Sunday afternoon.

03/15/2010

Chat replay: SportsDay columnist Tim Cowlishaw answered your questions

DMN

SportsDay columnist Tim Cowlishaw answered your questions on the Mavericks, Cowboys, Stars, Rangers and other sports topics in a chat today.

Evan Grant's mock Rangers roster

03/14/2010

Ryan figures Texas Rangers should continue to improve

Texas Rangers' shortstop Elvis Andrus misses the tag as the Dodgers' Casey Blakeslides safely into second base Sunday.

Nolan Ryan sees the Great Leap Forward made by the Texas Rangers' pitching staff as something less than all that, writes Tim Cowlishaw. "I'd like to see us get our ERA down some more this year," Ryan said Sunday morning.

Rangers have plenty of bullpen options

03/15/2010

Strong outing helps keep Rangers' Holland in mix for last rotation spot
Fittingly, on Selection Sunday, Derek Holland was fully aware that he was on the bubble. The Rangers have only one spot unsettled in their opening day starting rotation, and the left-hander is one of five pitchers trying to lock it down.

Sunday's Texas Rangers report: Rangers lose twice, Brown keeps hitting
Monday's game: Giants vs. Rangers, 8:05 p.m., Surprise Stadium

03/13/2010

Texas Rangers could clean up with Vlad Guerrero hitting second

Texas Rangers designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero bats Friday.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

The Texas Rangers couldn't be certain what they were getting when they signed Vladimir Guerrero this winter, writes Tim Cowlishaw. But "better No. 2 hitter than Michael Young" wasn't something the Rangers really had in mind.

Ian Kinsler out a week

Rangers add infielder

Game report: Rangers 5, Indians 0

Holland to get first start Sunday

Cowlishaw: Guerrero a hit

The Texas Rangers have plenty of bullpen options
There's nothing better than having seven solid arms to rely on in a major league bullpen. The problem comes when it's three weeks before the season and you have 24 possibilities for those seven spots.

Game report: Rangers 5, Indians 0

Ian Kinsler out with ankle sprain

Holland to get first start Sunday

Newest Ranger Ramirez ready to go

Game report: Rangers 6, Padres 2

03/14/2010

Rangers' Kinsler out a week with ankle sprain
Maybe Ian Kinsler's injury bug will cure itself in spring training this year. Kinsler, who has been on the disabled list in each of the past four seasons, will miss at least a week because of a high right ankle sprain.

03/13/2010

Saturday's game report: Rangers 5, Indians 0
Four Texas pitchers combined on a 5-0 shutout of Cleveland in Goodyear, Ariz., as the Rangers posted their first spring training blanking in more than three years.

03/14/2010

Rangers add infielder off waivers from Brewers
The battle for the utility infielder spot has a new candidate. The Rangers claimed infielder Hernan Iribarren off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.

03/12/2010

Pitching still a puzzle for Rangers, but pieces are there

Matt Harrison, pictured here in a previous appearance, threw three shutout innings in Friday's 6-2 win over San Diego.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

For the Rangers, pitching remains a puzzle, writes Tim Cowlishaw. But it's a puzzle that can be solved.

Saltalamacchia close to returning

Holland to get first start Sunday

Newest Ranger Ramirez ready to go

Injury report

Chat replay: Evan Grant talks Rangers

03/13/2010

Friday's game report: Rangers 6, Padres 2
Chris Davis' hot hitting continued, while Matt Harrison and Tommy Hunter had their longest outings of the spring Friday in the Rangers' victory over the San Diego Padres in Surprise, Ariz.

Saltalamacchia close to returning
The Rangers lost a starter Friday while another one is closer to making his return.

Holland to get first start Sunday
Left-hander Derek Holland, whose spring has been limited to two-thirds of an inning because of a right knee sprain, will draw his first start Sunday when a Rangers split-squad team takes on the Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale.

Newest Ranger Ramirez ready to go
It didn't take Edwar Ramirez long to get involved with his new team.

Rangers' injury report

03/12/2010

Ian Kinsler rolls ankle; Rangers aren't concerned
Ian Kinsler rolled his right ankle in pregame warmups today and will not play against San Diego. The injury is not considered serious.

03/11/2010

Rangers being careful with promising pitcher Tanner Scheppers

Elvis Andrus follows through on a two-run double in the fourth inning. Andrus had four hits in Thursday's 16-5 win over Colorado.

Not even a month into spring training, pitcher Tanner Scheppers' future is as bright as anyone's in the Rangers' system.

Thu. game report: Rangers 16, Rockies 5

Chris Davis off to fast start

Homecoming for Rangers' hitting instructor

Injury report

Game report: Mariners 6, Rangers 3

Rangers' Chris Davis off to a solid start
Rangers first baseman Chris Davis knows every hit and every strikeout he has this spring will be scrutinized. Davis, who hit a monster homer to right-center Thursday and is hitting .500 on the spring, isn't getting caught up in anything.

Game report: Rangers 16, Rockies 5
The Rangers snapped a four-game losing streak, crushing the Colorado Rockies, 16-5, in Tucson, Ariz.

Rangers' Clint Hurdle back in familiar territory
New Rangers hitting coach Clint Hurdle didn't have a hard time finding his way around Hi Corbett Field. Navigating through the visiting clubhouse was a different story.

Ian Kinsler has homecoming , too
Ian Kinsler was born in Tucson and graduated from Canyon del Oro High School.

Chat replay: Evan Grant answers your Texas Rangers questions

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

SportsDay's Evan Grant answered your Texas Rangers questions today

Saltalamacchia still sore

Nelson Cruz scratched with tight hamstrings

Rangers right-hander Eric Hurley progressing

Game report: Mariners 6, Rangers 3

Rangers' injury report

03/10/2010

Q&A with Rangers' Chuck Greenberg: Sale going smoothly

Chuck Greenberg (right) leads Rangers Baseball Express, the group that is buying the team from Tom Hicks.

RODGER MALLISON / Special to DMN

Chuck Greenberg made his first trip to Surprise on Wednesday and talked about how his group's purchase of the Rangers from Tom Hicks is going.

Saltalamacchia still sore

Nelson Cruz scratched with tight hamstrings

Rangers right-hander Eric Hurley progressing

Utility infielder race wide open

Rangers catcher Saltalamacchia still sore
Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was out of the lineup again Wednesday, but he wasn't too concerned about the soreness around his surgical incision.

Right-hander Eric Hurley progressing
Right-hander Eric Hurley continues to make strides in his return from rotator cuff surgery in January 2009.

Rangers spotlight: Charley Pride
The man who wants to kiss an Angel good morning will soon have a vested interest in kissing them goodbye in the American League West race.

Cruz a late scratch; injury report
The Rangers revised their Wednesday lineup twice, once for an injury and once for a player.

Tim Cowlishaw: Change in ownership makes Rangers interesting
Like everyone else, Tim Cowlishaw thinks there are plenty of reasons to be encouraged about the Texas Rangers. Not the least of the reasons for optimism is the impending change of ownership.

Nolan Ryan, Michael Young, Ian Kinsler sing Faith Hill's 'This Kiss'
All I can say is the folks at the Super Bowl Host Committee office are geniuses. Or have pictures of people. You can't help but smile.

Nelson Cruz scratched with tight hamstrings
Nelson Cruz was scratched from the Rangers lineup on Tuesday with tight hamstrings.

03/09/2010

With healthy legs, Vladimir Guerrero can carry Rangers

After hitting .329 with a .552 slugging percentage in 2005, Vladimir Guerrero, plagued by a bothersome right knee, dropped in both categories in each of the next three years.

The strength in Vladimir Guerrero's legs helps him generate the power that he brings through the ball with such violence as a hitter. So seeing Guerrero run free and easy Tuesday was a welcome sight for the Rangers.

Saltalamacchia scratched from start

Game report: Rangers 8, A's 8

Rangers acquire RHP Edwar Ramirez

Washington more concerned about Andrus

Scheppers continues to impress team

Rangers' utility infielder race remains wide open
There is no clear leader in the bid to find a utility infielder who can play up the middle. Joaquin Arias and Ray Olmedo are leading candidates.

Saltalamacchia scratched from start
Jarrod Saltalamacchia was scratched from the starting lineup Tuesday because of soreness near his ribs.

Rangers obtain reliever from Yankees
The Rangers added another arm to their bullpen, acquiring right-hander Edwar Ramirez from the New York Yankees for cash considerations. The Yankees had designated Ramirez to clear a roster spot for Chan Ho Park.

Rangers' injury report

Ex-Ranger Hank Blalock agrees to minor league deal with Rays
Hank Blalock will get an opportunity to rekindle his career with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Work in the pen won't restrict Texas Rangers' Neftali Feliz

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

For those worried about putting Neftali Feliz in the bullpen for another season, consider what the Minnesota Twins did with a future ace of theirs, writes Evan Grant in this week's Inside the Texas Rangers newsletter.

Rangers acquire Edwar Ramirez

Salty a scratch for Rangers' game with A's

Blogs: Rangers

03/08/2010

Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton is pleased by spring debut

RON JENKINS / Special Contributor

Josh Hamilton went 2-for-3 in his spring training debut Monday against the Los Angeles Angels.

Grant: Latest mock roster

Scheppers continues to impress team

Colby Lewis has come a long way

Blogs: Rangers

03/09/2010

Rangers acquire RHP Edwar Ramirez from Yankees for cash
The Texas Rangers have acquired RHP Edwar Ramirez from Yankees for cash. He will turn 29 by the end of March and had a 5.73 ERA with no record in 22 innings in the major leagues last season.

03/08/2010

Evan Grant's latest mock Texas Rangers roster

Esteban German in action recently during an exhibition game against Kansas City.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Ready for Evan Grant's Rosterology (take that ESPN marketing geniuses!), Part 3? At least now we have some guys – three of them – on which to base roster decisions.

Rainouts affect plans for Rangers

Mock roster 2/22

Mock roster 3/1

Rainouts affect plans for Rangers

Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison has increased velocity following surgery
Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison doesn't have a bionic arm following his surgery last year. But Harrison, who had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, does have more velocity on his fastball.

Rangers' Colby Lewis has come a long way

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Colby Lewis is scheduled to pitch Monday, his second appearance of the spring but his first start. If all goes according to plan, he will make 30-plus starts for the Rangers in his second act in the majors.

Blog: Texas Rangers

Rainouts affect plans for Rangers
Rain forced the Rangers to cancel their scheduled game with Cleveland in Goodyear and postpone a B game with Kansas City.

03/07/2010

Typical Arizona weather forces cancellation of Sunday's activities
Once again it's raining in Surprise, the Seattle of the Southwest. That has forced the Texas Rangers to cancel all their outdoor activities for Sunday.

Hamilton will test shoulder Monday; where is still to be determined
Now that Josh Hamilton is ready to start playing in games, the Texas Rangers muster determine whether the best place for him to begin is in a "B" game or a regular exhibition.

03/06/2010

Texas Rangers' biggest word is 'if'

Texas Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia prepares to return the ball in the second inning Saturday.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

The key word in Nolan Ryan's pronouncement last week, writes Evan Grant, was "if."

Saturday's game report: Royals 2, Rangers 1

Josh Hamilton hopes to play Sunday

Scheppers could be a factor in Rangers' pitching plans

Opening Day essentially sold out

Borbon scratched from Saturday's lineup

Texas Rangers' Hamilton: DH today?
Josh Hamilton's return to the lineup could come sooner than the Texas Rangers had expected. Hamilton said that if he feels good today, he'll be the team's designated hitter in a B game in Surprise.

Rangers spotlight: Prospect at home on mound or on surfboard
SURPRISE, Ariz. – Geoff Geary, who is trying to make the Texas Rangers as a reliever, grew up in California and has been surfing since he was 10.

Rangers' Matt Harrison off to a fast start
Matt Harrison knows he is in heavy competition to make the opening day roster, but that wasn't his motivation in the off-season. Each day he aimed much higher.

Appearance bittersweet for Tom Hicks
Tom Hicks still owns the Rangers, though he has agreed to sell the club to the group headed by Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan.

02/01/2010

Texas Rangers blog: Evan Grant: Pen is the better place for C.J. Wilson

Though they didn't make the playoffs, the Texas Rangers finished with the fourth-best record in the American League in 2009.

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

It figures to be a busy offseason for the Texas Rangers. Get the jump on the latest news concerning Michael Young, Josh Hamilton and company on our Rangers blog.