No new injuries have afflicted the Rangers recently, but Texas has shuffled their roster quite a bit in the last month. On May 2nd, the Rangers demoted OF-R Kevin Mench in order to clear room on the roster for RHP Joaquin Benoit, as they moved to a 12-man pitching staff. Mench began the season on the disabled list and failed to immediately match last season's production upon his return. While I'm torn on the merits of this move, I was certainly surprised by the Rangers' decision.

Mench received less than 100 AB at AAA last season between stints in the majors, so the 25-year-old likely will benefit from additional development time. However, a strained oblique isn't an easy injury from which to return. OF-S Carlos Beltran hit .184 with a .279 OBP and .368 OBP on 7 H, 1 2B, and 2 HR in his first 38 AB after he returned from a similar injury this year, but he's now rebounded. Mench was hitting .219 with a .265 OBP and .281 SLG on 7 H and 2 2B with a 2:5 BB:K in 32 AB.

As I said earlier in the year, Mench's lack of AAA time likely dulled his initial impact in the majors, but while the majors aren't an ideal learning environment, he seemed prepared to move forward this season. If he had remained in the majors and continued to slump, Mench likely would have ridden the bench. However, he offers the team more than UT-R Donnie Sadler, UT-L Mike Lamb, or CI-R Herbert Perry, and has more potential than the 37-year-old Ruben Sierra. Consequently, I think Texas hurt the team by demoting him.

Nevertheless, with OF-R Doug Glanville probably returning from his hamstring injury next Tuesday after Texas has temporarily finished playing in NL parks, Mench seems likely to remain at AAA barring a trade or an injury. The fact that CR-S Mark Teixeira is now spending time in the outfield is also working against Mench, while Mench's .257 BA, .362 OBP, and .436 SLG on 26 H, 6 2B, and 4 HR with a 19:14 BB:K and 2/2 SB% in 101 AB at AAA Oklahoma in the Pacific Coast League aren't making a strong case for his return to the majors.

Texas activated Perry from the disabled list on May 10th but continued problems with his shoulder forced him back to the disabled list on the 30th. He reportedly has tears in both his labrum and rotator cuff, which probably will require season-ending surgery. Even if he attempts to rehab the injuries, he's unlikely to be able to play again in 2003. More importantly, the severity of the shoulder injury should prevent the 33-year-old from playing third base ever again. Lamb reclaimed the roster spot he'd given up when Perry came off the DL.

Benoit replaced RHP Chan Ho Park in the rotation and has experienced sporadic success as a starter. He's primarily struggled with his homer rate, which currently rests at 1.9 HR/9. Unfortunately, his home park and his .85 G-F indicate he's unlikely to substantially improve upon that number.

Park appeared to have recovered from his back strain weeks ago. He's made two starts with AA Frisco in the Texas League and three with AAA Oklahoma, but the Rangers have delayed his return, hoping he'll show some signs of returning to the pitcher they thought they were acquiring when they signed him. However, Texas recently removed RHP Alan Benes from the rotation and sent him to AAA, so they are in need of a starter on Saturday. Park may come off the disabled list to make that start, though the Rangers have several alternatives.

Texas called up RHP Reynaldo Garcia to fill Benes' roster spot. Garcia moved back to relief at AAA and is working in that capacity in the majors, so he probably won't be called upon to make Saturday's start. His current run in the majors isn't off to strong start, which could make this a short stay. The Rangers want Benes to build up his arm strength in AAA, but he's probably better suited to a long relief role than to starting regularly.

When Texas acquired Benes from the Cubs, the Rangers demoted RHP Ryan Drese to open up the necessary 25-man roster spot. Drese continues to struggle with his command at AAA, as he did in the majors, so he's unlikely to rejoin the major league club any time soon.

As expected, LHP Erasmo Ramirez's cup-of-coffee didn't last long. A week after calling Ramirez up, Texas demoted him and RHP Rosman Garcia on May 3rd, while activating RHP Jay Powell and RHP Todd Van Poppel from the disabled list. Ramirez's two appearances in the majors went smoothly and he's pitching well at AAA, so he could be in line for another promotion if injury or ineffectiveness create an opening.

Rosman returned to the majors a week ago when the Rangers designated Van Poppel for assignment. Most of the Texas pitchers would look better if the Rangers didn't possess the worst defense in baseball, but pitchers with barely acceptable skills, like Rosman and Benes, look particularly bad without solid support from their fielders.

If the Rangers' pick up most of what remains of Van Poppel's $2.5M 2003 salary and a good portion of his $3M 2004 salary, they might find a team willing to send them a minor prospect as the Cardinals did in exchange for Esteban Yan. However, Van Poppel probably will pass through waivers and become a free agent. Texas activated Ismael Valdes from the disabled list to fill Yan's roster spot. Valdes no longer appears troubled by the shoulder tendinitis that led to his DL trip, so barring blister problems he should eat innings for the Rangers for the remainder of the season.

C-R Todd Greene returned from the DL on May 15th and has resumed his role as the Texas back-up catcher, while C-R Gerald Laird rejoined AAA Oklahoma.