Texas' transactions once again have piled up. Over the last few weeks, the Rangers have fired their pitching coach, named a new closer, and saw that closer go on the DL, all the while continuing to juggle their pitching staff and their offense due to various injuries.

The Rangers fired pitching coach Oscar Acosta June 20th following a series in Chicago against his former employer. Acosta resigned from the Cubs before the end of last season when he discovered that he would not be retained for this year. According to many varied reports, he and Manager Don Baylor often clashed. The situation appears to be similar this season as Manager Jerry Narron cited philosophical differences as the cause for Acosta's dismissal.

I was not a fan of Acosta during his time in Chicago as he berated rookies and looked down on pitchers who reported injuries. It seemed as though many of the improvements in the Cubs' pitching staff were more coincidence than inspired by his presence. His departure also served to put a wedge in the Cubs' clubhouse as several of the veteran pitchers were unhappy with him leaving.

Consequently, I questioned his hiring in another high-profile position and wasn't sorry to read he'd been fired. However, the majority of the Rangers' pitching problems don't seem to stem from areas easily influenced by the pitching coach. Chan Ho Park's early injury and Jeff Zimmerman's continued absence hurt what should have been a very solid pitching staff. With those two out, everyone else shouldered larger responsibilities for which some of the younger pitchers weren't prepared, while a few veteran members of the pen also hit the DL.

Texas hired Orel Hershiser as the replacement pitching coach. Hershiser has worked as a pitching consultant to the Rangers so he knows many of the pitchers. The club also feels his success as a pitcher is a major asset. Hopefully, he'll be able to make an impact on some of the younger members of the staff.

Francisco Cordero earned saves in three consecutive one-inning appearances June 19th, 20th, and 21st, claiming Texas' interim closer position. Unfortunately, he left a June 24th appearance with a muscle strain behind his right shoulder and was placed on the disabled list the next day. Following extensive tests on the shoulder, the club is optimistic that he'll be able to return at the end of his 15 days.

The Rangers recalled Colby Lewis to fill Cordero's roster spot. In 8.1 innings of relief, he's allowed 12 H with a 7:8 K:BB. Lewis hadn't pitched above AA before this season, and though he's had good success in a half season of AAA this year I think Texas should likely have left him there until later in the season, instead relying on some of their previously activated pitchers.

Texas placed Rudy Seanez on the DL in early June with biceps tendinitis. He was finishing his rehab assignment for the biceps problem when he developed back pain last week. The Rangers discovered this weekend that back pain is the result of a herniated disc, so he'll now miss an additional 6-8 weeks after back surgery. After posting a 28:16 K:BB in 21 IP with 20 H and 3 HR allowed, the Rangers will miss one of their better relievers this season.

The team recalled Joaquin Benoit to fill Seanez's roster spot. Texas has promoted and demoted Benoit three times this season with the pitcher receiving one appearance during each call-up. Twice he's started games for the team; in 15 IP, he's allowed 14 H and 1 HR, but has a 5:11 K:BB. Although Benoit demonstrated good skills at AAA last season, even then he had problems with his control. Texas should really refrain from using him until he can cut down on his walks allowed. Aaron Myette replaced him on the roster for both of his most recent demotions.

Myette bounced up and down twice this season, also receiving just one appearance per call-up. He started during his latest promotion and has a 5:5 K:BB in 7 IP with 7 H and 1 HR allowed. I'm not certain why the Rangers just don't stick with him for an extended period of time as he appears ready to pitch in the majors. At AAA Oklahoma in the Pacific Coast League, he compiled an 81:33 K:BB in 85 IP with 71 H and 5 HR allowed. These numbers indicate improvement in his control, which has been the primary element lacking in his past major league experience.

Texas demoted him first when activating Jay Powell from the disabled list and then for Frank Catalanotto. Powell began the season on the DL due to a partially torn tendon sheath around the middle finger of his right hand. The Rangers expected that he'd provide valuable assistance in the pen when they gave up a draft pick to sign him to a $9M, three-year deal. Since his return, Powell has allowed 8 H and 1 HR in 6.2 IP with a 4:3 K:BB. I expect those numbers to improve as he sees more appearances.

The back pain that delayed Catalanotto's return from a DL trip for a strained groin turned out to be a stress fracture that required considerable extra rest and rehab. However, the team believes he's finally healthy and he rejoined the club on Friday.

Texas placed Gabe Kapler on the disabled list last Monday with an inflamed tendon in his right wrist. Doctors order him to rest for a week to 10 days, so he should begin rehab later this week and may be able to rejoin the team after the All-Star break. In order to replace Kapler on the roster, the Rangers recalled Benoit.

Kapler joined Rusty Greer and Carl Everett on the disabled list. The Rangers placed Greer on the DL in early June due to a sore back. Luckily, he doesn't have a herniated disc or stress fracture, merely a bone bruise and a hyperextended back. Therefore if the rehab assignment he's beginning this week goes well, he should be able to rejoin the team after the All-Star break.

The Rangers activated Ivan Rodriguez from the disabled list to fill Greer's roster spot. IRod hasn't had any troubles with his back since returning from the disabled list and has played well for Texas. Pudge returned from the DL less pudgy, reporting in 24 lbs lighter. The lighter weight will help him avoid further injury problems.

Carl Everett also went on the disabled list in early June. Everett has recovered from the hamstring problems that sent him to the DL, but he and Texas are now arguing over whether or not he should go on a rehab assignment. The Rangers would like him to go on a short minor league assignment in order to insure that he won't have troubles when he's activated and will be able to play centerfield; Everett isn't interested. Consequently, Texas will probably activate Everett today or tomorrow and send down Ryan Ludwick, who replaced him on the roster.

Ludwick started hot upon his major league debut but has cooled off during the last couple weeks. He'll return to the minors with a .235 BA, .295 OBP, and .346 SLG in 81 AB on 19 H, 6 2B, and 1 HR with a 7:24 BB:K and 2/3 SB%. Ludwick, acquired in the deal that sent Carlos Pena to Oakland, spent most of last season in AA with a late AAA promotion, displaying good power potential and moderate speed while needing to work on his plate discipline. He really needed more time in AAA when the Rangers called him up as he was only hitting .271 with a .367 OBP, and .524 SLG in 225 AB at AAA Oklahoma on 61 H, 19 2B, 4 3B, and 10 HR with a 33:54 BB:K and 2/4 SB%. Texas should wait before attempting to use him as an injury replacement again. I continue to be quite irritated with their use of prospects as roster filler.

The team tired of Calvin Murray after only 77 AB in which he hit .169 with a .238 OBP and .260 SLG on 13 H, 5 2B, and 1 3B with a 6:15 BB:K and 4/4 SB%. As a result, Texas sent Murray to AAA through waivers and recalled Kevin Mench. While the Rangers have bounced Mench up and down with everyone else, he's really doing quite well this season with a .306 BA, .394 OBP, and .602 SLG in 108 AB on 33 H, 6 2B, 1 3B, and 8 HR with a 14:22 K:BB and 1/2 SB%. Considering he hadn't had any time above AA before this season, he's performed exceptionally. Perhaps the Rangers are simply sending him down whenever they don't have enough at-bats for him, but it's unfortunate that they aren't allowing him to stay at one level.

Lastly we have Rob Bell, who's currently in the majors on his third call-up. Texas demoted Bell to recall John Rocker in early June and promoted him June 21st when they needed another starter. Bell continues to demonstrate the skills necessary to start in the majors, but Texas' indecision has stunted his progress. They'll likely continue to flip him between the minors and rotation whenever they need a spot starter, merely because he has an option left.

The Rangers demoted Randy Flores to make room for Bell on the roster. In his month on the roster, Flores allowed 9 H and 1 HR in 8.1 IP with a 5:4 K:BB. They'll likely recall him the next time they're bored with their lefty relief.