OAKLAND, Calif. — Mike Napoli didn’t just want to return to the lineup. He wanted to get back behind the plate.

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said he offered Napoli the opportunity to be the designated hitter for Tuesday night’s game against the A’s, but Napoli said he wanted to catch.

“I like catching,” said Napoli, who had missed the previous two games because of a bruised right quad muscle.

Washington went even further and said that Napoli would probably play Wednesday, a day game after a night game. The Rangers’ backup catcher, Yorvit Torrealba, is away for this series on paternity leave. The Rangers recalled catcher Luis Martinez as insurance while Napoli was hurt and in anticipation of Torrealba’s absence.

“If he gets out of this game with no problems, he’ll catch tomorrow,” Washington said.

Other notes:

* Mitch Moreland, who is on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, underwent his most rigorous on-field workout since he was hurt. He came through it well, Washington said. He took some fly balls in the outfield and moved side to side. He will work on some ground balls Friday in Anaheim, and he could begin a rehab assignment next week.

* Michael Young has eight hits in his last 17 at-bats. Washington said he’s seeing signs that Young is turning around his season after a slow first half. “Michael is definitely getting better,” Washington said.

* Washington said Colby Lewis will not be on a pitch count when he comes off the disabled list to start Wednesday. “He’ll let us know when we’ve got to go get him,” Washington said. “When he’s running out of gas he’ll let us know. And if the Oakland A’s are making it look like he’s out of gas, they’ll let us know.”