Texas Rangers Team Report

INSIDE PITCH Center fielder Josh Hamilton continued his rehab assignment Monday with Class AAA Oklahoma City and could be back with the Rangers on Tuesday for the start of a six-game homestand. Playing for a second straight day against the Round Rock Express at the Dell Diamond, Hamilton grounded to second, doubled down the right-field line, struck out swinging and walked twice in five plate appearances. He also scored a run and was walked intentionally in the eighth inning with a runner on third. The Express broke a 5-5 tie in the ninth to defeat the RedHawks 6-5. Hamilton was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 1, retroactive to April 27, with a strained intercostal muscle in his left rib-cage area. The Rangers have gone 9-4 in his absence. "I felt good again today," Hamilton said following the game. "My at-bats felt really good. I got to run around out there for all nine innings and it was hot, so I had the chance to really get my legs going. I thought I might be gassed with the heat, but everything felt great." In two games this weekend for Oklahoma City, Hamilton combined to go 2-for-5 with a double, three walks and two runs scored. He is scheduled to return to Arlington on Tuesday. He will be evaluated by the Rangers medical staff before a decision is rendered on whether to activate him or give him more rehab time.NOTES, QUOTESMLB is investigating a pitch that Chicago's RHP Bobby Jenks threw behind 2B Ian Kinsler over the weekend. After the Rangers hit six White Sox in the first five games between the teams, Jenks threw a pitch behind Kinsler and later admitted it was delivered with a purpose. The Rangers did not try to retaliate in the final game of the series on Sunday. It also isn't likely to be a simmering issue; the teams don't play again this season.3B Michael Young, who left Friday's game early with a stiff lower back, did not start either of the two games over the weekend. It left 2B Ian Kinsler as the only Ranger to start all 31 of the team's games.With Michael Young out for the weekend, the Rangers optioned OF Greg Golson back to Class AAA Oklahoma City and recalled INF Joaquin Arias to give the team some infield insurance. INF Omar Vizquel, who started in place of Michael Young at third for the first time in his career, entered Sunday with 2,669 career hits. He was eight hits shy of passing Luis Aparicio and becoming the all-time hits leader from Venezuela. Vizquel had an RBI double in the Rangers' win, giving him 898 RBI for his career.BY THE NUMBERS: .204 DH Hank Blalock's average for 54 at-bats with runners on base this season. He is hitting .309 with nobody on base. Blalock had a pair of bases empty homers on Sunday, but also popped up with the bases loaded.QUOTE TO NOTE: "When your bell cow has success with something, I think everybody is more willing to follow. You work fast and you throw strikes, you get your defense more involved. Good defense can make a medium pitcher a good pitcher and a good pitcher into a great one." Pitching coach Mike Maddux, on the overall success the starting rotation has enjoyed since RHP Kevin Millwood quickened his pace on the mound to start the season. Since then, the others have followed.ROSTER REPORT3B Michael Young said he expects to be ready to play Tuesday. Young missed most of Friday's game and all of the next two games with a stiff back after slipping on the infield at Chicago. RHP Scott Feldman, who has a 3.24 ERA in three starts this season, will face Seattle LHP Jason Vargas on Tuesday. Feldman is seeking his first win at home as a starter in more than a year. He beat Oakland on May 9 last year. Since then, Feldman is 0-3 at home as a starter. The Rangers are 1-10 in his home starts.RHP Frank Francisco, who has not pitched in five days, will look to inch closer to the Rangers' club record for consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. RHP Jeff Zimmerman (29 2/3 innings) holds the club mark. Francisco is at 27 1/3 innings over 27 appearances dating back to last August. In that time, he has allowed one unearned run and held opponents to a .117 average. MEDICAL WATCH: 3B Michael Young (back stiffness) left the May 8 game, and he didn't play May 9-10. He expects to be back May 12. OF Josh Hamilton (strained left rib-cage muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 27. He played in rehab games for Class AAA Oklahoma on May 10-11, and he is expected to be activated May 12. RHP Willie Eyre (right groin strain) went on the 15-day disabled list April 23. He had begun the season on the DL with the same injury. RHP Dustin Nippert (upper back soreness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 22. He began a rehab assignment with Class AA Frisco on April 11, but he strained a muscle in his side. RHP Joaquin Benoit (rotator cuff surgery in January 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list April 5. He is out for at least the first half of the season but could miss the entire year. RHP Eric Hurley (rotator cuff surgery in January 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list April 5. He is out for the year. ROTATION: RHP Kevin Millwood RHP Vicente Padilla RHP Brandon McCarthy RHP Scott Feldman LHP Matt Harrison BULLPEN: RHP Frank Francisco (closer) LHP C.J. Wilson LHP Eddie Guardado LHP Derek Holland RHP Jason Jennings RHP Kris Benson RHP Darren O'Day CATCHERS: Jarrod Saltalamacchia Taylor Teagarden INFIELDERS: 1B Chris Davis 2B Ian Kinsler SS Elvis Andrus 3B Michael Young INF Omar Vizquel INF Joaquin Arias OUTFIELDERS: LF David Murphy RF Nelson Cruz DH Hank Blalock OF Andruw Jones OF Marlon ByrdC Jarrod Saltalamacchia (forearm inflammation) was playing well in the Dominican Republic in December.