ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist.

Moreland underwent surgery in Cleveland on Wednesday, when a small pea-shaped bone was removed from the base of his wrist.

The Rangers say the estimated recovery time is expected to be eight to 12 weeks. He will be in a soft splint and begin rehabilitation in the next few days.

Moreland was bothered by soreness in the wrist over the second half of the season for the two-time defending AL champions. He hit .259 with 16 home runs and 51 RBI in 134 games.

As a rookie in 2010, Moreland hit .462 (6 of 13) with a home run in the World Series.

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Read More: C.J. Wilson (P – TEX), Texas Rangers

C.J. Wilson takes the mound on Wednesday afternoon as the Texas Rangers look to avoid dropping a three game series to the Chicago White Sox. 

The Rangers won the first game of the series behind Alexi Ogando’s magnificent performance, as Ogando pitched a complete game shutout. Ogando was backed offensively by the returns of Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, with both outfielders going deep in the contest.

On Tuesday night, Texas fell to Chicago 8-6, mainly thanks to Carlos Quentin’s three homer night. The game was interrupted for two hours and 58 minutes thanks to a massive storm system that came through the Dallas area.

Wilson will look for his fifth win of the year on Wednesday – and he’ll look to improve on his 1.27 WHIP as well. Wilson received a loss in his last start, which came Friday against Roy Halladay in Philadelphia. Wilson pitched well, allowing just three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 10, but it wasn’t good enough to escape a loss.

Gavin Floyd will oppose Wilson for the White Sox, and he’ll be looking for his sixth win of the year. Floyd has pitched well this year, to the tune of a 1.14 WHIP, 3.88 ERA, and 51 strikeouts against 15 walks in 60.1 innings of work.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. CDT.

That’s all for today.

DETROIT — Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton apologized to third-base coach Dave Anderson in a private meeting before Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers, saying he could have handled the entire situation better.

“I let my emotions get ahead of thinking things through,” Hamilton said. “The more I think about it, the more I understand that I take responsibility for what happened because I had the choice not to go or the choice to go. I just appreciate Dave having confidence in my ability to think I could make that play.”

The meeting came following Hamilton’s frustration regarding the play in the first inning of Tuesday’s game that resulted in a small fracture in the humerus bone in his upper arm. Hamilton was placed on the disabled list on Wednesday and is out for six to eight weeks. He won’t swing a bat for a month.

Anderson told Hamilton no one was covering home, and the slugger tagged up and tried to score on a popup in foul territory down the third-base line. Hamilton slid headfirst into home and catcher Victor Martinez scrambled back to apply the tag just in time.

Following the game on Tuesday, Hamilton called the play stupid and he remained frustrated early Wednesday morning as he called the play “dumb” and walked around with a sling on his arm in the clubhouse.

But that was before he had a chance to sit down with Anderson and discuss things.

“We talked about everything and I could have taken a different route as far as trying to cool down a little bit before I spoke,” Hamilton said. “But everything is good.”

Hamilton said he better understood what Anderson was trying to do on the play. Anderson said he’s another set of eyes for Hamilton. He tells him what’s going on out there, but ultimately, Hamilton has to decide what he’s going to do in those kinds of situations.

“It’s a learning process in trusting your own instincts,” Hamilton said. “He’s there giving out information. But when you get right down to it, it’s my decision.”

Hamilton said he never meant his comments to come off the way they did. Hamilton was still upset about the decision Wednesday morning, saying he was just telling the truth about the play even if that meant throwing his third-base coach “under the bus.” But by the time the meeting ended, he had a different outlook.

“I wasn’t calling him stupid — it was just the play itself and coming out of it injured,” Hamilton said. “It could have come out a couple of different ways. I could have made the play and not gotten hurt and it would have been a great play. It didn’t work out that way. I just know I should think things through before I speak about when something like that happens again.”

Earlier Wednesday, Anderson defended his decision to send Hamilton, saying the club will continue to be aggressive on the bases.

“You think about in the past what we’ve done,” Anderson said. “He’s scored from second on a groundout to the infield twice. He’s scored from first on a long single. We’ve done double steals with him. That’s a part of our game is being aggressive and taking advantage of situations. The unfortunate part is that he got hurt. But if you go out and play the game and play hard, those things are going to happen.”

Anderson reiterated that he would have preferred Hamilton not slide headfirst into home plate.

“We tell all of our players that,” Anderson said. “That’s especially true with all of the equipment the catcher wears to slide feetfirst.”

Speaking to reporters before Wednesday’s game, Hamilton defended his headfirst slide, saying that was the only way to try to avoid a tag and make the play.

“The object is to score and if you go feetfirst, that gives them all this up here to tag,” said Hamilton, pointing at his upper body. “It is what it is. It’s over. It sucks it happened, but it happened. We’ll deal with it.”

Hamilton said he doesn’t plan on changing the way he plays the game.

“How else would I play?” Hamilton said. “You can get hurt by doing anything.”

The Rangers planned to play Hamilton more in left field to help guard against injury and protect the wear and tear on his body. But the 2010 AL MVP got hurt Tuesday as the DH.

Hamilton was forced to answer more questions about his durability in light of the latest injury. He’s missed long stretches throughout his career with various injuries. Since getting to the majors in 2007, Hamilton has played more than 133 games in a season just once (2008). He was asked if his body is more susceptible to injuries than most.

“I can understand that if I was pulling things like hamstrings or quads and it was not actual high-intensity things like hitting walls,” Hamilton said. “I’m making plays that the game calls me to make and I’m getting injured that way. That proves to me that I can get hurt anytime doing anything. I’m tired of talking about it, to be honest with you.”

Hamilton’s absence means some changes in the Rangers’ lineup. Michael Young hit third against the Tigers on Wednesday and David Murphy now becomes an every-day player with Hamilton out. Murphy had two singles, two stolen bases and an RBI on Wednesday. Chris Davis arrived from the minors about 90 minutes before the game and is a member of the bench. Washington said Davis could play first and third base and will get some work in with outfield coach Gary Pettis to see if he can play in the outfield in a pinch. Mitch Moreland could see some outfield time as well.

“I’m ready,” Murphy said. “This is why I’m here, isn’t it? It’s not the way I wanted to get playing time, but I’ll go out and do my job the best I can and help this team win.”

Murphy filled in for Hamilton in September last year and led the team with a .355 batting average. He has historically struggled in April with a career .227 average, his lowest for any month. But he feels like a better spring training and a good start so far to 2011 can allow him to have a more productive month. Having more consistent at-bats won’t hurt, either.

“I felt great in spring training and I felt great the first week or so and didn’t play frequently and felt like I lost my rhythm a little bit,” Murphy said. “But I still feel good up there. I don’t think this April is going to be 2009 or 2010. Only time will tell.”

Washington is confident his team will overcome this stretch without Hamilton.

“We’re hurt because it’s one of our better guys,” Washington said. “For us to continue what we plan on doing this year, the guys we depend on have to stay healthy. Well, we lost one. We’re not going to hide in some hole. We’re going to play baseball. We’re not going to make any excuses.”

Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPNDallas.com.

Follow Richard Durrett on Twitter: @espn_durrett

If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top.

Published: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 3:54 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 3:54 p.m.

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SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers pitcher Neftali Feliz said Monday that his preference is to close in 2011, but added that he is happy to start if that’s what the club needs.

“I’ve done it before,” Feliz said, through a translator, of closing. “I did it in the past and I’m comfortable in that role. I know what it takes and know the preparation.”

The 22-year-old had 40 saves in 2010 and was the AL Rookie of the Year. He is working in spring training as a starter, something that could be in his long-term plans.

Feliz said he hasn’t told the club of his preference because he believes he can start and wants to do what is best for the club.

“I don’t feel uncomfortable starting and figuring out that routine,” Feliz said. “I know I can do both. I’ll just get into the routine of starting and go from there.”

Feliz took a line drive off the left shin on Sunday, but said he’s just bruised and is scheduled to make his Wednesday start. He will toss from about 90 feet on Monday, but won’t run.

“If I end up starting, I’ll go all out,” Feliz said. “I won’t do anything differently and just try to get outs.”

Feliz was 4-3 with a 2.73 ERA to go along with his 40 saves. His triple-digit fastball helped him amass 71 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings with 18 walks. He’s working on his secondary pitches this spring, so that he’s not just reliant on his extremely fast fastball or the slider.

Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPNDallas.com.

Follow Richard Durrett on Twitter: @espn_durrett

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SURPRISE, Ariz. February 23, 2011 (AP)

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SURPRISE, Ariz. — Michael Young is leaving the Texas Rangers — for a couple of days, anyway.

The team said Wednesday that the veteran infielder will leave spring training camp to attend to unspecified “family matters.” He is scheduled to return to camp with the AL champions on Saturday.

“He’s got a family thing he’s got to attend to,” manager Ron Washington said. “He’s ready to go. He’ll take care of that, come back and play some baseball.”

Young, who practiced Wednesday morning, wouldn’t discuss details with reporters, saying only: “Everything’s great.”

Young requested a trade last month after the team signed Adrian Beltre to a six-year, $96 million free-agent contract. The team did not make any deals and he reported to camp on time, saying he was focused on the upcoming season.

Young is the longest-tenured Ranger, going into his 11th season, as well as the team’s career hits leader and a six-time All-Star (five times at shortstop, once at third).

He moved to shortstop before the 2004 season after Alex Rodriguez was traded, then was switched to third base two years ago when the Rangers decided to promote Elvis Andrus from the minors.

He is now expected to be the team’s primary designated hitter and utility infielder with Beltre taking over at third.

Washington said Beltre has started testing his strained right calf on a treadmill. Beltre has been hitting and fielding in full-squad workouts but had been held out of running drills due to the mild strain.

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SURPRISE, Ariz. — Rangers designated hitter and super-utility infielder Michael Young will miss workouts Thursday and Friday as he deals with some family matters. He is expected to return to camp on Saturday.

Young was out on the field early on Wednesday working at first base and was also participating in the workouts.

“He’s got a family thing he’s got to attend to,” manager Ron Washington said. “He’s ready to go. He’ll take care of that, come back and play some baseball.”

Young wouldn’t discuss details with reporters, saying only: “Everything’s great.”

Young requested a trade last month after the team signed Adrian Beltre to a six-year, $96 million free-agent contract. The team did not make any deals and he reported to camp on time, saying he was focused on the upcoming season.

Young is the longest-tenured Ranger, going into his 11th season, as well as the team’s career hits leader and a six-time All-Star (five times at shortstop, once at third).

Beltre ran on a treadmill on Wednesday as he and the club continue to monitor his mild calf strain. He isn’t running on the field, but is taking ground balls and hitting. Washington isn’t sure if Beltre will play in the exhibition opener on Sunday, but isn’t concerned if he doesn’t.

Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPNDallas.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Follow Richard Durrett on Twitter: @espn_durrett

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SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Michael Young is leaving Texas Rangers camp for two days this week to attend to what the team is calling “family matters.”

Young worked out at first base Wednesday and joined the team for the regular morning workout. He is scheduled to return to spring training in Arizona on Saturday.

Young requested a trade last month after the team signed Adrian Beltre to a six-year, $96 million free-agent contract. The veteran infielder is going to serve as the Rangers’ designated hitter and utility infielder.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Surgery for the spine condition is “uncharted waters” for a professional athlete

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 | 5:49 PM ET

The Associated Press

Omar Beltre has spinal stenosis, a genetic condition that causes a narrowing of the spine. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Texas Rangers pitcher Omar Beltre has been diagnosed with a genetic narrowing of the spine and will have surgery next Tuesday.

Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine says Beltre has a condition called spinal stenosis.

Levine says the Rangers don’t know of any other baseball player who has had this surgery. He says the condition is more often seen in older people and is “uncharted waters” for a professional athlete.

The 29-year-old Beltre made two starts for Texas last season. He’s been in the Rangers organization since 2000.

The former top prospect couldn’t get into the United States from the Dominican Republic for five years because of visa problems before making it to spring training last year.

Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training Wednesday for the AL champions.

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On Wednesday February 9, 2011, 4:50 pm

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The AL champion Texas Rangers have raised ticket prices for about two-thirds of their seats for 52 non-premier home games, though many of the increases are for $2 or less per seat.

Coming off their first World Series, the Rangers increased from 19 to 29 the number of home dates considered premier games with higher prices. But about 30,000 seats (69 percent) at Rangers Ballpark will cost less for those games than last season.

Individual ticket prices were announced Wednesday. The biggest increases are for lower box and club seats.

Advance sales on non-premier games are $62 (from $50) for lower box and $58 (from $45) for club. Seats with all-you-can-eat food are up from $34 to $39 for non-premier games.

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