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[an error occurred while processing this directive] 03/16/2010

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.

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.

Game report: Cubs 4, Rangers 1

Neftali Feliz lasts only three innings

Cowlishaw: McCarthy deserves rotation spot

Marlon Byrd: Rangers made right decision

Evan Grant's latest mock roster

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.

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.

Blog: Rangers

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.

Blog: Rangers

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.

Rangers have plenty of bullpen options

Ian Kinsler out a week

Rangers add infielder

Game report: Rangers 5, Indians 0

Holland to get first start Sunday

Blog: Rangers

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.

Cowlishaw: Guerrero a hit

Game report: Rangers 5, Indians 0

Ian Kinsler out with ankle sprain

Holland to get first start Sunday

Newest Ranger Ramirez ready to go

Blog: Rangers

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.

Game report: Rangers 6, Padres 2

Saltalamacchia close to returning

Holland to get first start Sunday

Newest Ranger Ramirez ready to go

Injury report

Blog: 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.

Chat replay: Evan Grant talks Rangers

Thu. game report: Rangers 16, Rockies 5

Chris Davis off to fast start

Homecoming for Rangers' hitting instructor

Injury report

Blog: Rangers

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

Game report: Mariners 6, Rangers 3

Saltalamacchia still sore

Nelson Cruz scratched with tight hamstrings

Rangers right-hander Eric Hurley progressing

Blog: Rangers

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.

Game report: Mariners 6, Rangers 3

Saltalamacchia still sore

Nelson Cruz scratched with tight hamstrings

Rangers right-hander Eric Hurley progressing

Blog: Rangers

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.

Utility infielder race wide open

Saltalamacchia scratched from start

Game report: Rangers 8, A's 8

Rangers acquire RHP Edwar Ramirez

Washington more concerned about Andrus

Blog: Rangers

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.

Scheppers continues to impress team

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

Blog: 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.

Rainouts affect plans for Rangers

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.

03/05/2010

Health, hitting could bring West title for Rangers, Ryan says

Having Josh Hamilton (left) and Vladimir Guerrero healthy and producing in the lineup will be a key for the Rangers.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Nolan Ryan is counting on good health and a hitting revival for the Rangers to make good on his recent 92-win prediction and his hopes for a division title.

Friday's game report: Royals 4, Rangers 2

Photos: Rangers-Royals

Nolan Ryan: 'Our goal is to reach postseason'

Hicks comfortable with Rangers' sale process

Rangers' Harrison off to fast start

Camp visit bittersweet for Tom Hicks

Rangers' Hamilton expects to debut next week
Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton expects to make his spring debut early next week as his bruised left shoulder continues to make progress, but he might return as the designated hitter first.

Rangers' less-experienced players don't lack for incentives
Every Rangers player in camp is under contract for 2010. The paperwork was turned in this week for the final 14 players not eligible or salary arbitration.

03/06/2010

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.

03/04/2010

Less is more: Fewer pitches is aim of Rangers' Harden

Rich Harden needed only 29 pitches - 18 of them strikes - to get through two innings in his first spring start on Thursday.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Rangers right-hander Rich Harden wants to minimize his pitches and change speeds to make hitters put the ball in play. He accomplished those things in his first spring start Thursday.

Photos: Rangers

It's all good in opener

Right-handers beware Lefty Alley

Fraley: Rangers' offensive MVP could be Vlad Guerrero

10 spring games worth watching

Blog: Rangers

It's all good for Rangers in spring opener
The Rangers couldn't have asked for much more in their spring opener than their runaway victory Thursday against Kansas City.

Right-handers beware of 'goofy' Lefty Alley
The Rangers' clubhouse contains 60 lockers, and among the group of 57 players in the big-league camp are nine left-handed pitchers.

10 Rangers spring training games worth watching
Here are 10 games worth your attention this spring.

Chat replay: Evan Grant answers your Texas Rangers questions

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Evan Grant answers your questions about the Texas Rangers today at 12:30 p.m.

Washington says Elvis Andrus needs to focus

Nolan Ryan: Rangers can win 92, AL West

Rangers want Borbon front and center

Hamilton says he hasn't been smart about injuries

Photos: Rangers' team pictures

Blog: Rangers

03/03/2010

Rangers want outfielder Julio Borbon to be front and center

Julio Borbon will be the Rangers' 14th different opening day center fielder in 17 seasons at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

The Rangers are asking Julio Borbon, who's essentially a rookie, to do something quite substantial in playing center field and hitting leadoff, writes Evan Grant.

Washington says Elvis Andrus needs to focus

Nolan Ryan: Rangers can win 92, AL West

Saltalamacchia to start spring opener

Hamilton says he hasn't been smart about injuries

Photos: Rangers' team pictures

Blog: Rangers

Rangers' shortstop Elvis Andrus has strong encore in mind
Elvis Andrus, the kid who had never had so much as an at-bat in the major leagues, yet had pushed a five-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner to a new position, was the player Rangers fans wanted to see most last spring.

Ryan can see 92 wins, division title
It seems every day this spring, some member of the Rangers is making some bold prediction about the season. If it's not Josh Hamilton predicting 96 wins, then it's Julio Borbon predicting 50 steals for himself or Nelson Cruz guaranteeing a 30-30 season. But when the predictor is Nolan Ryan, it seems to carry that much more weight.

Rangers' Ron Washington on Elvis Andrus: 'We just have to get him focused'

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Asked about second-year shortstop Elvis Andrus' approach to camp, manager Ron Washington said Andrus needed to improve his focus.

Rangers' closer hit hard

Chat: Fraley

Photos: Rangers' team pictures

Intrasquad No. 2: Rangers 4, Rangers 3

Rangers to use 6-man spring rotation

Saltalamacchia's throwing

Blog: Rangers

Jarrod Saltalamacchia to start Rangers' spring opener
Jarrod Saltalamacchia will be the starting catcher in today's spring opener, but manager Ron Washington said Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden are "dead even" as the Cactus League schedule unfolds.

Josh Hamilton says he hasn't been smart about injuries in past
Josh Hamilton continued to see improvement in his bruised left shoulder, but the left fielder only went through stretching and conditioning work Wednesday.

Derek Holland will pitch in game Monday
Derek Holland threw live batting practice for the second time since straining his right knee Feb. 19 and reported no issues. He will pitch in a game Monday.

Rangers seizing opportunities to steal bases
The 11 bases the Rangers stole over two intrasquad games reaffirms the team's philosophy that it will take a base whenever the opportunity arises.

Josh Hamilton targets next week for first game back
Outfielder Josh Hamilton said his bruised left shoulder continues to improve and he will participate in some aspects of the Rangers workout today, but not anything that has to do with throwing or hitting.

Chat replay: Gerry Fraley answers your Cowboys and Rangers questions

AP | DMN

SportsDay's Gerry Fraley answered questions today on the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys.

Roster analysis: Specialists

FA signings: Worst | Best

Cowboys won't go QB in 1st round

Is 'poison pill' offer for Austin a concern?

Trade down?

A last pitch for Stover

Can Cowboys' '09 class contribute in 2010?

Fans in Liverpool use billboards to bash Tom Hicks
For those worried that owner Tom Hicks is having too much fun with his acquisition of Liverpool FC to focus on the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers, think again. Hicks' reception from fans of the Reds still isn't so rosy.

Five players battling for Rangers' last two roster spots

Joaquin Arias has youth and speed on his side as he fights for a spot as a utility man on the Rangers' opening day roster.

The spring training schedule opens Thursday with the Rangers feeling sure they know who 11 of their 13 position players will be. Five players are battling for the other two spots.

Rangers' closer hit hard

Photos: Rangers' team pictures

Intrasquad No. 2: Rangers 4, Rangers 3

Rangers to use 6-man spring rotation

Saltalamacchia's throwing

Blog: Rangers

Rangers' closer only gets one out in intrasquad game
The first four batters recorded hits against closer Frank Francisco on Tuesday, and two of them scored on a well-placed double by Justin Smoak as a team managed by bench coach Jackie Moore won the second of two intrasquad games, 4-3.

03/02/2010

Jarrod Saltalamacchia has two significant throws Monday

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

On Monday, making his first semi-official throws in a Rangers uniform since late last season, Jarrod Saltalamacchia had two significant throws.

Rangers to use six-man rotation in spring

The latest look at the Texas Rangers' roster

Rangers honor Bobby Bragan

Blog: Rangers

Texas Rangers to use six-man rotation in spring
The Texas Rangers will use a six-man rotation the first time through spring training with pitchers paired up with partners.

Texas Rangers honor Bobby Bragan with spring training patch
The Rangers will honor the late Bobby Bragan by wearing a patch on their sleeves throughout spring training that says "Bobby Bragan 1917-2010."

Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton will work in drills today
Outfielder Josh Hamilton reported some improvement to his bruised left shoulder Tuesday morning and planned to return to the field for some drills. He won't, however, participate in the short intrasquad game scheduled for noon MST.

Josh Hamilton to miss Rangers' spring-training opener Thursday
Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton will miss the team's exhibition opener Thursday because of a bruised left shoulder.

02/01/2010

Texas Rangers blog: Game report: Cubs 4, Rangers 1

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.

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