--OF Milton Bradley returned to the field Tuesday, playing four innings against the Mariners. It was his first defensive action since he had knee surgery last fall after he had served as a designated hitter. Bradley had no trouble in right field, and he also legged out a triple.

--DH/1B/OF Jason Botts, who is out of minor league options, beat out OFs Nelson Cruz and Kevin Mench to be the Rangers' right-handed bat off the bench. Botts hit .349 this spring (15-for-43). Mench had a solid spring, hitting .359 (14-for-39). Cruz hit .200 (8-for-40). Mench and OF Jason Ellison, who hit .375 (12-for-32), were assigned to Class AAA Oklahoma. The Rangers will designate Cruz for assignment and hope he clears waivers so they can send him to Oklahoma.

--RHP Eric Hurley, the club's top pitching prospect, was optioned to Class AAA Oklahoma on Tuesday. Hurley made five appearances for Texas this spring, posting a 6.19 ERA.

--RHP Frank Francisco, who appeared in 59 games out of the Texas bullpen last years, was optioned to Class AAA Oklahoma on Tuesday. He allowed nine runs (five earned) in eight innings this spring.

--RHP John Patterson, released by the Nationals last week, signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. Patterson made the Opening Day start for Washington last year but wound up making just seven starts all season due to an elbow injury. He had a 7.00 ERA this spring, and he wasn't throwing his fastball as hard as usual. GM Jon Daniels said the Rangers hope to get Patterson's arm back in shape to see if he can ultimately help the big-league club.

--RHP Luis Mendoza has won a spot in the starting rotation, though it's still not certain if it will be fourth or fifth. The Rangers need a fourth starter during the first week but don't need a fifth starter until April 12. The fourth and fifth spots will be taken by Mendoza and LHP Kason Gabbard, but it's not certain which order they will pitch in. The fifth starter will likely go to Class AAA Oklahoma for 10 days.

--Manager Ron Washington will examine the possibility of CF Josh Hamilton hitting third for the final week of exhibitions. Washington had initially planned on Hamilton hitting second this season with SS Michael Young hitting third. Hamilton's huge spring, however, has had the manager rethinking that. Young would move into the second spot, where he has a .316 career average. Young won the 2005 AL batting championship hitting primarily in the No. 2 spot.

--LHP C.J. Wilson and RHP Joaquin Benoit, the Rangers' expected closer and setup man, pitched in "A" exhibitions over the weekend after both missed at least three weeks because of injuries. Both pitched a scoreless inning and manager Ron Washington said that, barring any setbacks, they would be ready to go for the season opener March 31 at Seattle.

BY THE NUMBERS
.456 -- The Rangers' winning percentage against AL West Clubs since 2000. Texas, which has the worst record (200-239) among the four teams in that span, opens the season with six games at Seattle and Anaheim.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"At the end of the day, I want to be known for two things -- my integrity and a good attitude -- and if I go there with a bad attitude, then I'm not being true to myself." -- C Jarrod Saltalamacchia on how he might handle a possible demotion to the minors.

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