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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Struggling prospects Mike Olt and Cody Buckel began their search Tuesday for what's behind their shockingly poor starts to the season.

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Olt, the Rangers' second-highest ranked prospect behind shortstop Jurickson Profar, saw team doctors Tuesday after informing club officials he was having issues with his vision. It could be as simple as the Triple-A Round Rock infielder needing contacts or glasses, general manager Jon Daniels said, or it could be something more. Daniels didn't have a diagnosis for Olt before the Rangers' game Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.

Buckel, a right-handed pitcher who has been having issues with his control at Double-A Frisco, was moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen Tuesday. Buckel, the club's eighth-best prospect, has 25 walks in 18 innings. He had three walks and didn't record an out in his most recent start, against Corpus Christi on Saturday.

Olt's vision problems might help explain why he's off to a dismal start. Olt, a career .282 hitter in the minors entering the season, entered Tuesday batting .139 in 72-bats and has one home run after tying for the Texas League lead with 28 home runs last year.

"It would make sense if that's what has developed," Daniels said Tuesday.

Buckel heads to the bullpen after not pitching more than three innings in his five starts this season. He had a season-high six walks in three innings at San Antonio on April 22 and has walked at least five in three other starts.

Buckel will take up some innings in what has been a dominant bullpen in Frisco. But Daniels said the club thought it was better that Buckel sort things out in Double-A rather than at extended spring training.

"It's nothing physical with Cody," Daniels said. "He's been scuffling all season."

Both Olt's and Buckel's names came up in trade talks during the offseason.

Other Rangers notes:

Baker in, Murphy out: Jeff Baker got the start in left field against White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana, giving struggling starter David Murphy an extra day off. Murphy, batting .176 with two home runs, has a track record that says he will get his bat going.

"He's missing pitches that he usually gets," manager Ron Washington said.

Murphy and third baseman Adrian Beltre both have started slow. Beltre is batting .221 with four home runs and only nine RBIs.

"You know their track record is there," Washington said. "You just have to be patient."

More on Beltre: Beltre said Tuesday that he's not concerned with his slow start, noting he always has been a warm-weather player. Beltre is batting .107 with runners in scoring position.

"I know I'm going to be OK," Beltre said. "I would say I've been average. There hasn't been a time when I've felt great and there's not a period where I've felt terrible."

Randy Wells retires: Veteran pitcher Randy Wells, who has been at Triple-A Round Rock, has retired, Daniels said Tuesday. Daniels said the 30-year-old Wells told club officials that he didn't have the same level of desire for the game.

It's Joseph Ortiz: The Rangers said Tuesday that reliever Joe Ortiz has been asked to be called Joseph Ortiz from this point forward. Ortiz has allowed runs in his past three appearances, but the Rangers didn't provide that as the reason he is going with Joseph.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Nelson Cruz’s work with the bat has been impressive. But perhaps even more important has been his ability to stay on the field.

Cruz revamped his offseason routine prior to the 2012 season and it paid off as he played in a career-best 159 games. On Sunday, Cruz is in the lineup for the 25th time in 25 games this season -- one of only three Texas Rangers who can make the claim.

For Cruz, it’s simply a matter of understanding his body.

“You know what you need to do to prepare,” Cruz said. “Sometimes your body tells you you need to rest. You have to make sure you’re loose for the games, make sure you work out during the season, outside the season.”

Cruz said he’s extra diligent with his hamstring and quads, which conspired among other maladies to limit him to an average of 113 games from 2009 to 2011, with 128 games his career high until last season.

The resulting health has put Cruz in position to be among the league’s offensive leaders in several categories. His 19 RBI are tied for fifth in the American League, his five home runs are tied for 13th and his .322 batting average is good for 13th, as well.

And thanks to Cruz’s renewed focus on staying healthy, manager Ron Washington has been less tempted to pull him out of the lineup for maintenance days.

“He’s an animal, look at him,” Washington said. “At some point I’m going to give him a day off, but I got him a day DHing, and I’ll get him another day DHing. It’s just that he’s been productive, and sometimes it’s hard to pull that out of the lineup.”

Cruz is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in seven straight contests. Saturday’s game snapped a six-game RBI streak in which he drove in 13 runs.

Lineup staples: In addition to Cruz, Adrian Beltre and Mitch Moreland have been in the lineup every game this season. Moreland’s career high is 134 games played for the 2011 Rangers. Beltre has played in 152 or more games eight times in his career, including 156 for Texas last season. His career high of 159 games came for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002.

Elvis Andrus, David Murphy and Ian Kinsler have played in every game but one this season. Washington considered sitting Kinsler on Sunday, but the Rangers’ second baseman resisted with an off day scheduled for Tuesday.

Strikeout guy: Tuesday’s starter, Yu Darvish, leads all of baseball with 49 strikeouts this season. But he’s also topped seven innings just once and pitched six or fewer innings in three of his five starts.

It comes with the territory for strikeout pitchers, and Washington certainly isn’t complaining. But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t mind seeing fewer pitches and longer outings from his right-hander.

“If you can strike out a guy out in a certain situation, I love a strikeout,” Washington said. “But you can be striking out 17 or 18 guys and you’re throwing a lot of pitches. All you have to do is throw one pitch and you can get a ground ball and get a guy out.”

But Darvish fans need not worry about Washington and the Rangers trying to tweak the 26-year-old’s approach.

“Yu’s a strikeout guy,” Washington said. “I’d like to see him get some quick outs, but I’m not going to try to change him. I’m saying that to me, saying that to the pitching coach. I’m not saying that to Yu Darvish.”

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rangers rookie right-hander Nick Tepesch had good range of motion in his pitching arm Sunday morning and still expects to make his next start Thursday at Minnesota.

Tepesch was hit in the right wrist by a line drive off the bat of Seattle's Jesus Montero with two outs in the second inning. The ball scraped off of his elbow and left a visible cut. But fortunately it didn't catch him flush and x-rays were negative.

Tepesch was scheduled to be re-evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister. Tepesch was going to play catch before Sunday's game. He'll throw a bullpen Monday in Anaheim and if all goes well, he'll start Thursday.

"It feels pretty good," Tepesch said.

It's not the first time Tepesch has been hit in the pitching arm by a line drive. He was hit on the right elbow in college at Missouri, but said he made his next start.

Other Rangers notes:

Frasor's role: Right-hander reliever Jason Frasor has mostly come in with the Rangers behind this season with Tanner Scheppers getting the eighth inning work. But manager Ron Washington said Sunday that bullpen roles still haven't been defined and Frasor could assume a more important role.

"We have to get Frasor out there and get him going," Washington said. "When we get him going things will pick up for him."

Frasor has made six appearances this season, five of them scoreless. He has appeared twice in the last three games after having six days off.

Bullpen is good: Manager Ron Washington said his bullpen is in good shape for Sunday's game, even after long man Derek Lowe went four innings in relief. Joe Ortiz, Tanner Scheppers and Jason Frasor finished Sunday's game after start Nick Tepesch came out in the second inning.

Berkman in lineup: Washington considered giving Lance Berkman a day off Sunday, but the Rangers' DH wanted to be in the lineup. He missed four games on the recent seven-game road trip and didn't want to be out of the lineup another day.

"I went to Berkman and he said he wanted to play," Washington said. "I didn't ask any more questions."

With cold weather expected in Minnesota next Thursday-Sunday, Berkman will likely get to rest his surgically-repaired right knee.

Quirky schedule: The Rangers are in the midst of a strange schedule where they've played in Seattle and Chicago, come home for three games in Texas, and now go to Anaheim to play the Angels and then to Minnesota, where it's expected to be cold.

"I'm just concerned with the cold weather," Washington said. "We don't want to get any doubleheaders."

Tracking Lindblom: Right-hander Josh Lindblom, who came to the Rangers in the Michael Young trade with Philadelphia, is likely the guy to watch as the next starting pitcher in waiting.

Lindblom went five innings in an 8-7 victory for Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday night, allowing an earned run. He threw 95 pitches, 64 for strikes. Lindblom had seven strikeouts. He has 18 strikeouts in 17 innings as a starter with a .161 opponent's batting average.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Elvis Andrus isn't worried. His manager isn't worried. No one is worried.

So you shouldn't be, either.

Andrus, who is hitless in his past nine at-bats coming into Saturday night's game, is going to start hitting. In fact, he's been hitting the ball as hard as any Rangers player going back to the start of the last road trip in Seattle.

The problem is Andrus has only five hits in his past 31 at-bats. Going back further, he has nine hits in 50 at-bats. Andrus' batting average is at .209 entering Saturday's game.

His tough-luck stretch includes another frustrating at-bat from Friday -- a scorching line drive in the third inning that popped out of Mariners shortstop Robert Andino's glove. The ball was hit so hard that Andino had time to recover and nip the speedy Andrus at first base.

"Elvis has been stinging the baseball and getting nothing for it," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "So I don't see where he's in a skid. I don't want him to change anything because when that starts finding holes, it's coming to come in droves."

Andrus said he was laughing as he went back into the field after the Andino play. He also hit a rocket back to the pitcher's mound for an out later in the game.

"There's nothing I can do about it," Andrus said. "Just keeping hitting that way.

"You get mad a little bit," he said. "You just have to keep swinging. They're going to fall eventually."

Andrus' offensive hard luck hasn't carried over into the field. Andrus hasn't made an error in 16 games. He made two brilliant plays up the middle in Friday's win.

"I learned a long time ago that offense is offense and defense is defense," Andrus said. "Especially when you're not hitting. I always say when I'm not hitting I better stop everything [in the field]."

Baker brings experience: Manager Ron Washington is thrilled with the job utility man Jeff Baker has done so far. Baker had a home run in Friday's 7-0 victory over Seattle, giving the Rangers their first run of the game.

Baker can play both corner outfield positions and also made a start at first base on Friday. More importantly, he's experienced in playing a bench role, something Washington appreciates, being that guy for several years with the Minnesota Twins. Baker is batting .308 in 13 at-bats.

"He doesn't panic," Washington said. "It's been a while since we've had one of those kind of guys playing a utility role. It's comforting that I understand what that role is, and it's nice to have a guy who has played that role and was successful. We made a nice choice in bringing him on."

Washington said Baker has been mentoring rookie Leury Garcia, the Rangers' utility infielder. First-base coach Dave Anderson was also a key bench player during his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, which had made him a valuable mentor for Garcia as well.

2011 draft jinx: It's a tough time for first-round draft picks from the Rangers' 2011 draft class. Left-handed pitcher Kevin Matthews, taken with the 33rd pick, is out for the season because of a bone spur in his left shoulder and needs surgery. Matthews, who hasn't appeared in a game this season, will have surgery on Monday.

Outfielder Zach Cone, selected with the 37th overall pick, is out for the season after having surgery for a torn left Achilles tendon. The 23 year old was batting .308 with two doubles in seven games for Class A Myrtle Beach this season.

Berkman vs. Harang: Rangers designated hitter Lance Berkman has 15 hits against Seattle's Sunday starter, Aaron Harang, and seven of them are home runs. Berkman is batting a pedestrian .259 against Harang for 58 at-bats. "It's a statistical anomaly," Berkman said.

Darvish in good company: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only three pitchers reached 10 career double-digit strikeout games in fewer starts than Yu Darvish -- Hideo Nomo (23), Dwight Gooden (24) and Bob Feller (27). Darvish did it in start No. 33.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rehabbing reliever Joakim Soria suffered a pectoral muscle strain in his chest while throwing batting practice Friday in Surprise, Ariz. at extended spring training.

The Rangers don't think it's serious, and it has nothing to with his arm -- Soria is returning from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.

"He's going great as far as his arm," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "It could be a day or two. It could be longer. We're going to wait and see how it feels after the weekend before we know exactly what kind of impact it will have on his timetable. It has nothing to do with his arm, and that's a good thing."

Other Rangers notes:

More on rehabbing pitchers: Left-hander Martin Perez will begin throwing live batting practice in 7-10 days as he continues rehabbing from a broken left wrist. Right-hander Kyle McClellan, who has a strained right lat muscle, is scheduled to throw on a mound for the first time on May 1.

The Rangers are also excited about right-hander Colby Lewis, who has one or two more batting practice sessions to throw before the Rangers can begin looking to get him out on a rehab assignment.

"He continues to report to feeling really good," Daniels said. "Our pitching coaches are really happy with his progress. He's every bit of on schedule right now."

Berkman back in lineup: Designated hitter Lance Berkman said his surgically-repaired right knee is sore but that he could play a full nine innings at first base when needed.

"I can do it," Berkman said. "I have had some trouble with my knee being sore just from DHing, so I'm a little bit hesitant to say, 'yeah, I can run out there and play three or four nights in a row.' But if you said we absolutely have to have you play first base for a game, I can do it."

Berkman said he didn't have trouble with the knee in spring training, but it is sore after 15 games. "It's definitely worse than it was in spring training," he said. "But it's probably the weather conditions we've been playing in. Cold, wet, barometric pressure."

Washington talks to Borbon: Rangers manager Ron Washington said he spoke briefly with outfielder Julio Borbon, who was claimed on waivers by the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Borbon was the Rangers' Opening Day center fielder in 2010 and '11.

"I told him he doesn't have to prove anything," Washington said. "He's already a big leaguer."

None left on: Thursday's game was the eighth time in club history in which the Rangers didn't leave a man on base. It hadn't happened since July 7, 2007.

CHICAGO -- With a rainout Wednesday night and more showers expected in the area all day Thursday, the pregame chat with Ron Washington focused on the possibility of another rainout. Washington was asked what positives may come from a few unexpected days off early in the season.

PODCAST
Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss his opinion on Wrigley Field as a baseball venue, what he thought of Lance Berkman's comments about the historical park and his take on the Rangers early in the season. Listen

“There’s no benefit, you want to play,” Washington said. “We’re not really having a bunch of nagging injuries right now. There’s not too many guys that need days off, I was thinking of getting some guys some days off if we’d have continued to play. But these days helped that out, so (that’s) a blessing in disguise. When we’re able to play ball again, we’re just going to have to get out there and see if there’s any rust.”

If the Rangers are indeed washed out Thursday, it means left fielder David Murphy will have four straight days without getting a game in (the Rangers had a scheduled off day on Monday and Murphy sat Tuesday).

“(It) shouldn’t (affect him, as long as) he gets in the cage and continues to swing,” Washington said. “At this point, all the at-bats you had in spring training and the 50 or 60 you have in the regular season (help). Those that can’t hit, it might affect them, they will continue to not hit. Those that can hit … it’s mind over matter. You want to keep playing, but you’re not. You go in the cage and you continue to swing the bat and just keep the repetition going. When you’re able to get back on the field, then you’ll see where you are. You certainly don’t want to be sitting around during a rain delay.”

Washington said that the only work the players have gotten done over the past 24 hours is hitting in the cages. Wrigley Field has limited facilities for the players -- both the home and road teams -- so there weren’t many options since the field was unusable. Pitching coach Mike Maddux ran the pitchers and had them "use their arms."

Berkman gets a break: Washington did find a positive spin for one of his players. Lance Berkman was not expected to start any of the games in Chicago. Washington also admitted that Berkman was unable to get loose in the cold weather of Tuesday night’s game to be a pinch-hitting option.

“This could be a blessing in disguise for him as we move further on into the season,” Washington said. “He got a break, not because we wanted to give him a break, but because it worked out that way. We don’t have too many nagging injuries, I know those guys want to play, but it could be a blessing in disguise. We’re being challenged, sometimes over the course of a year, this happens. Believe me, it’s gonna get to the point where we’re gonna wish we had some days off. So you just take it in stride.”

Sizing up the competition: Washington discussed the team’s next opponent, the Seattle Mariners, saying that he felt they’re undoubtedly an improved team from last year’s last place 75-87 squad.

“They got some experience in that lineup to supply for their offense,” Washington said. “They’ve always played tight ballgames, they’ve always pitched, they’ve always played defense. They are improved. The only thing I see them lacking is some speed. But they certainly got some guys in that lineup that can hurt you and that have hurt people before. They’re no different than some teams.”

Seattle, 6-10 on the season, is tied with three teams for seventh in runs scored (56) and is 14th in batting average (.220) in the AL, and although their pitching is usually strong, they’ve allowing the sixth most runs per game (4.56) in the league.

Washington said no team had really separated themselves from the pack early on except for the 12-4 Oakland Athletics.

“Right now everything they’re doing is working,” Washington said. “They’re putting all kinds of runs on the board, they’re offense is lighting it up, the pitchers are doing a good job. They’re playing extremely well. At some point everyone else is going to catch up, as well.”

Oakland currently leads the league in numerous offensive categories, including runs (96), runs per game (6.00), OBP (.354), OPS (.818) and home runs (20), while the pitching has been solid, posting a 3.55 team ERA.

CHICAGO -- After opening the season with three straight brilliant performances, manager Ron Washington had nothing but bouquets to throw Derek Holland’s way. What’s the difference between the Holland that’s shown up this season and the inconsistent performer of the past?

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Derek Holland joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to discuss his desire to become an elite pitcher, his hot start to the season and what it's like to play at Wrigley, which also happens to be the name of his dog. Listen

“His breaking ball has much more depth this year,” Washington said. “We’ve been trying to get him to back foot it and he’s finally been able to back foot it. He brought his changeup back into play, which in his first couple years was his bread and butter. For some reason it got away from him. Now he’s throwing his changeup and making quality pitches with it. He’s not leaving his fastball up and over the dish with all the regularity that he has in the past; he’s able to put it where he wants to. That’s all because of his dedication to what he wanted to do for himself and the team.”

In previous years, there were rumors that Holland had been distracted. Washington admitted that was likely the case, but that’s an issue in Holland’s rear view mirror.

“It wasn’t just talk, he was distracted,” Washington said. “That was fact. I think what happened is with another year older he’s graduated mentally. He understands what’s priority now, not that he didn’t understand priority, he just didn’t know how to put it in proper perspective. He has done that. The key now is to hold on to it.”

Washington added that in Holland's three starts this season, he has yet had to go out to the mound to get Holland back on track. It’s little things like that which show Washington just how much Holland has matured since he made his major league debut nearly four years ago.

“He came up, maybe, when he wasn’t ready. It was a growing pain time,” Washington said of Holland’s inconsistencies. “He started in the bullpen and was going back and forth. The past three years he locked into one situation and was a starter. All that he went through from the first year he got here to right now, it’s all come together. If he’d had time in the minor leagues to put that together, he might have been the pitcher we think he should be – that he’s become now – sooner.

"But that’s the way baseball is now. We bring these kids up here now and they have to learn on the job. It’s not easy learning how to play at the big league level. Some guys can get away with it, some guys go through growing pains. He’s one of the guys that we had to go through growing pains with.”

PODCAST
Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss his opinion on Wrigley Field as a baseball venue, what he thought of Lance Berkman's comments about the historical park and his take on the Rangers early in the season. Listen

Washington pointed out that Holland is a much more polished pitcher than he was in 2011 when he won 16 games and tossed 8 1/3 shutout innings against the Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series. Washington went on to say that he’s not just going on three games evidence on this season. He’s confident that this start is for real because since Day 1 of spring training, Holland showed up with improved stuff.

Yu update: Yu Darvish will start on Friday, going on six days rest. Darvish said the extra days won’t change much – he did not throw an extra bullpen session – it just gives him some extra time to relax.

After being one out from a perfect game in his first start of the season, Darvish has given up three earned runs in each of his next two starts, going a combined 11 innings. Darvish was able to keep both games close despite not having his best stuff, something he often failed to do last season, his first in the big leagues.

“I don’t really know (what’s different),” Darvish said. “But I think emotionally and psychologically I’m a little bit more stable this year than last year.”

Darvish said that in Japan he was always able to keep games close, even when he went to the mound without his A game, and he’s glad he’s finally able to do that here.

Darvish also added that the blister on his right ring finger is a non-issue, saying that it’s "perfect."

Sticking with Kirkman: Michael Kirkman got two quick outs in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over the Cubs. However, he couldn’t find a way to get the ever-elusive third out. Kirkman allowed a soft single and a walk before he was replaced by closer Joe Nathan.

Washington didn’t hesitate when asked what he’d do if faced with a similar situation and Kirkman as the logical choice to go to in the pen.

“What you do is, you keep giving him the ball in situations where if he has hiccup he can work his way out of it until he finds it,” Washington said. “He’s gonna be important to us in that bullpen. He had bad period, then he had two pretty good (outings), then he had another (bad) one. We just gotta keep giving him the ball. We gotta figure out a way to get him right, and the only way to do that is to keep giving him the ball.”

Washington said he can’t keep going to Robbie Ross or Joe Ortiz, because if he did, they’d be burned out by June. Kirkman has a 7.20 ERA in six appearances (five innings) on the season.

SEATTLE -- Don't call it a platoon. Call it welcomed depth, with speed to burn.

That's how Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington explained his intent to continue sharing playing time between Leonys Martin and Craig Gentry in center field.

Washington started Martin and batted him ninth Thursday night against Seattle right-handed ace Felix Hernandez in the opener of a four-game series with the Mariners at chilly Safeco Field. Because he bats left-handed, Martin traditionally would get most of the starts against right-handers.

But this is no traditional arrangement.

Washington values Gentry for his speed and defense as much as he does Martin for the same traits. So he intends to start the right-handed Gentry against one of Seattle’s right-handers scheduled to start in this series. That could be Friday against Hisashi Iwakuma -- when Yu Darvish goes for Texas in the 10th major league game started by two Japanese-born pitchers -- or it could be Sunday. The Mariners’ scheduled starter for the series finale is struggling rookie right-hander Brandon Maurer, though Seattle traded on Thursday for veteran right-handed starter Aaron Harang.

With Seattle starting left-hander Joe Saunders on Saturday, Washington is looking at getting the 29-year-old Gentry consecutive starts.

“He’s an exciting guy, man,” Washington said of the Rangers’ 10th-round draft choice in 2006 who spent all of last season with Texas for the first time in his career.

“I don’t want to look at it as a platoon. ... I’m just fortunate enough to have two guys. I have to figure out ways to get both guys in there. We’ve only played nine games. They are both going to play a lot of baseball. I just hope they don’t get mentally fried trying to act like they are upset because they are not playing.

“I am going to get them all playing time, I really am. I’m fortunate that I have two of them that can play center field and do what they do.”

What they do is run the bases well, track down balls in the gaps for outs that may fall for extra-base hits beyond other outfielders – the little things that win games.

The manager isn’t getting fixated on the 25-year-old Martin, whom Texas signed in 2011 as a free agent from Cuba, beginning the season batting .176 entering Thursday, or on Gentry sitting at .308. Martin had played in six games and Gentry five.

Washington doesn’t want Martin or Gentry focused on those numbers, either.

(Read full post)

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Elvis Andrus is making the most of his RBI opportunities early in the season.

PODCAST
Rangers starter Nick Tepesch joins Richard Durrett, Tim MacMahon and Landry Locker to talk about his stellar outing in his major league debut Tuesday night against the Rays. Listen

Andrus drove in three runs in Tuesday's 6-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, twice coming through with runners in scoring position. It continues a trend from last season, when he batted .350 in those situations.

Andrus has two hits in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position so far. On Tuesday, he had a run-scoring single and an RBI on groundout with a runner at third and one out. He had a two-run single to give the Rangers a 5-1 cushion Monday night. The Rangers had to hold on for a 5-4 victory.

Andrus has four RBIs in eight games despite batting .250 overall.

"I need to have the same focus when I have nobody on," Andrus said. "I'd be hitting .300 for my career. I just love it. Anytime I have that situation I try to close the field to a tunnel, to a gap and just try to shoot the ball in the middle. I feel way better. I'm seeing pitches better."

Grimm gets Thursday start: Right-hander Justin Grimm went 0-2 with a 9.64 ERA this spring, struggling while competing to be the fifth starter. There's no time to harp on that with Grimm getting the start Thursday in Seattle in place of Matt Harrison, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

"I expect (Justin) to come in and keep us in the ball game," manager Ron Washington said. "He's a strike thrower. He knows how he's supposed to use those strikes. If he comes up here and does that, he'll be fine."

Grimm pitched better when he was sent out to finish the spring with the Rangers' Triple-A team. He had a solid first regular-season start for Round Rock last Friday, allowing a run in 5 2/3 innings.

"He did go down to Triple-A and put things together when he left us in big league camp," Washington said. "More than anything it was repetition. He's the kind of pitcher that needs that."

Berkman gets day off: Designated hitter Lance Berkman, who is batting .480 with a .594 on-base average, was given the day off Wednesday. Berkman, coming off two knee surgeries, will be back in the lineup Thursday in Seattle.

He was fine with the day off and said he wasn't going to pull an Adrian Beltre and beg his way into the lineup. "No, I won't do that," Berkman said.

Darvish ready: Yu Darvish's blister is getting smaller and he is set to start Friday against Seattle.

Rangers trade catcher: The Rangers traded Triple-A catcher Juan Apodaca to the Rays for cash considerations. Apodaca was on Round Rock's disabled list.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Outfielder Julio Borbon is prepared for the possibility of leaving the Rangers on Tuesday when pitcher Nick Tepesch is called up from Triple-A Round Rock to start against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Borbon was resigned to the idea Monday. Borbon is out of options, so the Rangers will have 10 days to outright, release or trade the 27-year center fielder if they designate him for assignment.

"Tomorrow we have moves," Borbon said. "It's a matter of seeing where they go with it. I've enjoyed the fact that I'm here."

Borbon's agent, Scott Boras, said last week when he was in Arlington for the announcement of shortstop Elvis Andrus' contract extension that he had been talking to three or four teams that were interested in Borbon.

Borbon has played parts of three seasons for the Rangers, including a career-high 137 games in 2010, the first year the club made it to the World Series. Borbon played in eight postseason games, including getting two at-bats against the San Francisco Giants, and batted .111. He played the entire season in 2012 at Round Rock.

Borbon has been a great teammate and hasn't complained once, manager Ron Washington said.

"He was climbing up a slippery slope," Washington said. "He's a class act. He came in with his back so far up against the wall. He came off without any blood. You have to give him credit."

Borbon has had one at-bat in six games and has scored a run.

Other Rangers notes:

Darvish update: Washington's said pitcher Yu Darvish's blister on his right ring finger wasn't as serious against the Los Angeles Angels as it was in his first start against Houston. Darvish is on schedule to start Friday at Seattle.

"It's not something that's going to be an issue every time he takes the ball," Washington said.

Tepesch set for debut: Washington said he has already talked to Tepesch about his debut and won't say much more before Tepesch takes the mound Tuesday.

"I'll tell him good luck and maybe whisper a few things in his ear," Washington said.

Berkman in the field: Just six games into the season, Washington said it's too soon for Lance Berkman to get his first game in the field. The day will come when the manager needs to rest one of his regulars, but the Rangers have already had two off days. Berkman is coming back from two knee surgeries.

Bullpen going strong: The Rangers' bullpen, a question mark after being rebuilt in the offseason, has been a pleasant surprise. Rangers relievers have a 2.35 ERA through 15 1/3 innings and have combined for 16 strikeouts and three walks.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rangers manager Ron Washington will protect his players from umpires, keeping them from getting ejected.

But he also wants his young players, ones like rookie center fielder Leonys Martin, to learn how deal with umpires on their own.

Martin didn't like a strike call against him in the fifth inning of Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Angels. He was ahead 1-0 in the count and Angels pitcher Tommy Hanson threw a slider around the outside corner that Wally Bell called a strike. Martin voiced his displeasure.

That brought about a face-to-face moment between rookie and home plate umpire.

"He's going to have to learn how to handle an umpire," Washington said before Sunday night's game. "I can't tell him how to handle an umpire. When he's in that box, that's him and the umpire. He has to handle it. He felt like the ball was out."

Washington said he sprinted out to home plate because Bell took off his mask and Martin looked at him. Washington didn't want Martin to get ejected.

"They're competing," Washington said. "That's what I told Wally. He's just competing. It's no disrespect. He's just competing. That's all."

Martin said after Saturday's game that he understands he's fairly new to the big leagues. The 25-year-old Cuban said he was trying to his job and help his team. He ended up grounding out. He picked up his first hit of the season with a single in the seventh inning.

Washington said he hopes umpires have a long fuse with young players like Martin.

"I hope they give him some latitude," Washington said. "That would be the most respectful thing to do. Wally told me he wasn't going to run him. He was just going to educate him. Wally told me that. If I hadn't gotten out there, he might have been gone."

Other Rangers notes:

Martin back in center: Leonys Martin was back in center field on Sunday against Angels right-hander Jered Weaver. Rangers manager Ron Washington said he did it to help get Martin in a groove.

"I decided to give Martin back-to-back days," Washington said, "And try to get him going a little bit. Then eventually I'll give Gentry back-to-back games. I had the one game and out. I don't want him to start thinking. I want him to just play baseball."

Jet stream: The Rangers and Angels combined for seven home runs Saturday, leading one to believe that the newly renovated Capital One Club hasn't impacted Rangers Ballpark's reputation as being hitter friendly.

"Yesterday the wind was gusting and today I feel it's gusting out there too," Washington said. "There's days you have like that in this ballpark. As we move into the summer time, you may begin to notice something."

Ogando ready: Right-hander Alexi Ogando said he's ready to build on Wednesday's 6 1/3-shutout innings against the Astros. Ogando set a career high with 10 strikeouts.

"I'm confident," Ogando said. "I was able to throw my change-up and my slider."

HOUSTON -- Leonys Martin was the Texas Rangers' starting center fielder on Sunday night, less than two years after the Cuban defector arrived in Texas.

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Martin, who was appreciative at his first Rangers' press conference in May 2011, showed similar emotions when asked about getting his first Opening Day start.

"It's an opportunity that I will never forget," the 25-year-old Martin said. "It's been a dream of mine."

The left-handed hitting Martin, who will platoon with Craig Gentry in center field -- at least to start the season -- got the start in center field because Houston started right-hander Bud Norris. Rangers manager Ron Washington said before the game that he started Martin strictly because of the righty vs. lefty pitcher-hitter matchup.

"Both he and Gentry have done a good job in spring training," Washington said. "I couldn't have gone wrong with either guy. I picked Martin. It's a day-to-day situation right now."

Martin had a terrific spring, batting .359 with four doubles, two triples and 13 RBIs in 26 games. Just like Gentry, he gives the Rangers speed at the bottom of the lineup as it flips back around to Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus.

Martin has adjusted quickly to baseball in America. He had three stints with the Rangers last season. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Round Rock, where he batted .359 and had a .422 on-base percentage.

Martin took that confidence, and the knowledge that the outfield situation was open with Josh Hamilton's departure to the Angels, and ran with it.

"I knew I would have a better opportunity to make the major league team this season," Martin said. "I came to camp with better attitude. I worked on things, felt more comfortable, a lot more comfortable."

Martin said he isn't worried about being one of the players replacing Hamilton in center field.

"I just want to be Leonys and not try to be anybody but myself," Martin said.

Other notes:

Manager Ron Washington said that new catcher A.J. Pierzynski will catch Tuesday and Wednesday against the Astros, so the first time Geovany Soto will start will be in the home-opening series against the Angels.

David Murphy batted in the fifth spot in the order, ahead of Nelson Cruz, to break up four left-handed hitters, with Pierzynski, Mitch Moreland and Martin hitting in the final three places in the batting order.

Ian Kinsler made his seventh straight opening day start at second base, the most in club history. Bump Wills made five straight starts at second base from 1977-81.

Relief pitcher Derek Lowe, on his 16th opening-day roster, said Sunday ranks right at the top of the list for him. "I'd put it in the top one or two," Lowe said. "Look at where I was three weeks ago, to go into camp and know you had to win a job. It's a great feeling." Lowe, a two-time All-Star who has won 175 games, was signed by the Rangers on March 6.

Left-fielder David Murphy, a native of Houston, said he will visit his high school, Klein High School, on the Rangers' off day Monday to watch the team practice and visit his old coaches. Murphy graduated from Klein in 2000 and went on to play three seasons at Baylor.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Texas Rangers reliever Mike Adams was in the clubhouse today, hoping that he could play catch and at least get his arm going again. Adams said he might be ready to throw off a mound on Friday, but that hasn't been determined. Either way, he remains doubtful for the first round of the playoffs (and he certainly wouldn't be on a wild card roster if the club plays Friday).

Adams, who is dealing with a cervical (neck) strain and symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, said he didn't know if he could be ready for the ALDS.

"I don't know exactly where I am physically," Adams said. "My neck feels a lot better. What's going on with the TOS is that every day is a different day. Hopefully, I can calm it down enough where I can go out there and throw."

Adams said the worst part of the injury is watching his teammates and not being able to contribute.

"That's the worst feeling in the world," Adams said.

Other notes:

* It was a pretty relaxed clubhouse on Wednesday morning. Players got some breakfast, chatted with each other and were laughing at some funny online videos. Ryan Dempster, today's starter, requested some music. It was not a group that appeared uptight.

* The A's are expecting a sellout crowd today and many of them are already here getting settled into their seats.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Texas Rangers reliever Mike Adams was expected to join the club at some point before Tuesday's game, but is not ready to pitch and is doubtful for the first round of the playoffs.

Adams saw Dr. Drew Dossett, a neck and spine specialist, on Monday and received an injection in his neck. Adams will meet with the Rangers' training staff to get a plan together for the week. Adams is dealing with a cervical (neck) strain and symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. General manager Jon Daniels said Adams would have to play catch, long toss and get back on a mound before he could return to action and be considered for the postseason roster.

"It's hard to take him without seeing him get out there," Daniels said.

Daniels said the club hasn't closed the door and when they start the playoffs could impact things. If the Rangers win the AL West and get the top seed, they'd start Sunday as opposed to Saturday and that would give them one more day to get things in order. But it certainly seems doubtful at this point.

Adams was the club's primary eighth-inning option and was 5-3 with a 3.27 ERA in 52 1/3 innings. Koji Uehara and Alexi Ogando will handle the eighth inning depending on the situation in the game.

Other notes:

* Closer Joe Nathan said he would have been ready to pitch last night had it been a save situation. But he got the day off after pitching in both games of the club's doubleheader against the Angels on Sunday. Nathan said he just wants a win tonight and if that means he's on the mound in a one-run game, that's fine by him.

"I wouldn't mind 15-0 and if it's 2-1, I'll be ready," Nathan said. "We've led this division since April and we don't want to see anyone tie us."

* There is nothing new on the Derek Holland Twitter issue (the homophobic slur sent on his account). He says he didn't do it and is waiting for MLB to finish investigating. Daniels said there was nothing to report in terms of an update there.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rangers reliever Mike Adams was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a condition where a rib bone pushes against a nerve and causes numbness or pain in the arm or shoulder.

Adams was told he needs to rest 7-10 days but said he hopes to pitch through the pain in the playoffs.

Rangers starter Matt Harrison had the same ailment a few years ago and was fine after surgery.

Read more about it here.

Other notes:

* Manager Ron Washington said he isn't sure what he's going to do about Monday's starter in Oakland, and much if it depends on today's doubleheader.

"We'll see where we are today and who we don't use, and make a decision," Washington said.

Martin Perez made the last start in that fifth-starter spot but isn't the only candidate for that spot. Roy Oswalt could pitch and perhaps give the club some innings. Scott Feldman and Justin Grimm also are possibilities.

* Washington said he can't worry about Adams' situation right now, saying he has to focus on "who we have on board now" as the club tries to clinch things.

* There were costumes hanging in a few lockers of some vets, meaning today is likely the day when the rookie dress up for the flight to Oakland, a baseball tradition.