Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON – Josh Lindblom’s stay in the Rangers’ starting rotation was short. After he allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings on Monday in his first major league start, the Rangers optioned him back to Triple-A Round Rock. They have not made a corresponding move to replace him, but could add another reliever to help a bullpen that has had to pitch 15 innings over the last four games. Also, as expected, the Rangers optioned C Robinson Chirinos back to Round Rock and will … [visit site to read more]

After Monday night's game, the Texas Rangers announced they had optioned right-hander Josh Lindblom and catcher Robinson Chirinos to Triple A Round Rock, effective Tuesday. Lindblom had been recalled earlier in the day to start Monday's game in place of Alexi Ogando. He went 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Under normal rules, Lindblom would have to stay in the minors for at least 10 days -- assuming there's no injury to a member of the current pitching staff -- before being recalled. However, the Rangers play a doubleheader in Arizona next Monday and MLB suspends the 10-day rule for doubleheaders, which would allow them to add Lindblom for the May 27 day-night doubleheader. The Rangers have relied heavily on their bullpen the past two nights, as Lindblom and Sunday's starter Derek Holland each went 4 2/3 innings. The Rangers have not announced a corresponding move yet, but the most likely option would seem to be left-handed reliever Neal Cotts. He has been dominant in Triple A so far this season with a 0.78 ERA over 15 appearances. The Chirinos move was expected, as starting catcher A.J. Pierzynski is set to come off the disabled list and start Tuesday. -- Drew Davison

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jurickson Profar didn't get a hit in his first game of the 2013 season. But he made two productive outs, driving in both runs in what was an otherwise dismal 9-2 loss for the Rangers against Oakland on Monday night. "He handled his at-bats well tonight," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We scored two runs tonight. He got both." Profar tied the game in the third inning. Geovany Soto drew a leadoff walk and Leonys Martin followed with a double to put runners at second and third.

Nothing was fun. Everything was bad. At least they play another one tomorrow. Player of the Game: ...it's almost Yuesday?

CHICAGO (AP) — Ryan Dempster picked his son up at school, and then he got to play with him on the field at the ballpark. View full post on Yahoo! Sports – MLB – Texas Rangers News

Rangers RHP Yu Darvish (7-1, 2.93 ERA) has been virtually unbeatable in Rangers Ballpark. His win over Detroit last Thursday ran his career home record to 14-2 with a 3.87 ERA. Since Darvish made his debut last year, only Hiroki Kuroda (15-7) has more win at home than Darvish. Part of the reason for Darvish’s home success: An average of 7.31 runs of support per game. The Rangers have scored seven or more in 12 of his 19 starts, including 10 in the win over Detroit on … [visit site to read more]

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Oakland Athletics jumped on Texas Rangers right-hander Josh Lindblom for four runs in the fifth inning and the A's went on to win 9-2 in the opening game of a three-game series Monday night. The A's cut the Rangers' lead in the American League West to 5? games, still the largest division lead in baseball. Lindblom hit hard: Making his major league debut, Lindblom got hit hard. He allowed seven hits and four runs in 4⅔ innings.

Go Rangers!

Go Rangers!

Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan was on Galloway and Company on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM on Monday and was asked about pitch counts, in light of Yu Darvish's 130-pitch outing against the Detroit Tigers last Thursday. Ryan, who preached to Rangers pitchers to have a tougher mentality when he joined the club as team president in 2008, said he didn't have a problem with manager Ron Washington asking Darvish to pitch the eighth inning with 115 pitches and a 10-4 lead: "The way I look at that, and no I'm not critical of it, if there was an opportunity to let Yu throw an extra inning and throw 130 pitches, it was probably a good time to do it.