Texas Rangers News

Rangers pitcher Vicente Padilla reported no problems with an inflamed joint in his neck following a bullpen session on Sunday as is expected to start Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander was originally scheduled to start Sunday night against Tampa Bay, but the neck problems forced the Rangers to use right-handed reliever Dustin Nippert in a spot start and push Padilla back to…

Matt Harrison pitched eight sharp innings and Ian Kinsler homered on the first pitch, sending the Texas Rangers past the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0 Saturday night. Harrison (5-2) dominated the AL East-leading Rays in his eighth career start. The rookie lefty allowed only three singles, struck out eight without a walk, and retired the final 18 batters.

Rangers designated hitter Milton Bradley was scratched from the starting lineup about an hour before Texas’ game Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. The club said Bradley was sick and being evaluated by team doctors. No other specifics were given. Bradley, who came into Saturday’s game hitting .317 with 20 home runs and 63 RBIs, left in the fourth inning Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles…

Texas Rangers designated hitter Milton Bradley was scratched from the lineup prior to Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays due to an unspecified illness.

Rangers starter Vicente Padilla will miss his scheduled start Sunday because of an inflamed muscle joint in his neck. Right-hander Dustin Nippert will instead start against the Tampa Bay Rays. Padilla (12-6), whose start had already been pushed back from Thursday, felt discomfort and could not make his scheduled bullpen session Saturday.

Cliff Lee quieted the major league’s top team by inducing timely double plays. Matt Garza shut down the highest-scoring team in baseball by simply dominating. Garza threw a two-hitter and Tampa Bay shut out the Texas Rangers 7-0 on Friday night. Lee became the AL’s first 17-game winner by pitching his third complete game, and the Cleveland Indians turned four double plays in a 3-2 victory over the…

The Texas Rangers on Friday signed first baseman Justin Smoak, the 11th overall pick in June’s draft.

The Texas Rangers beat the clock late Friday night, agreeing to terms with No. 1 draft pick Justin Smoak on a minor league contract with a $3.5 million signing bonus. General manager Jon Daniels said the deal with Smoak, the 11th overall pick in June, was reached only 15 minutes before an 11 p.m. CDT deadline for the agreeing to terms with draft picks, or losing rights to the players.

Texas Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd left Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fifth inning with a hyperextended left elbow.

Matt Garza had to settle for his second career shutout after making a bid for the first no-hitter in Tampa Bay history. Garza didn’t allow a hit against the slumping Texas Rangers until a debatable call with two outs in the sixth inning, then finished with a two-hitter as the AL East-leading Rays won 7-0 Friday night.