Rangers’ GM wants to see progress
With the Texas Rangers again at the bottom of the A.L. standings, general manager Jon Daniels is ready for a more critical look at the team.
The Rangers have lost eight of their last 12 games, even after consecutive wins against the Astros this week. At 10-16 under new manager Jeff Banister, they have five fewer wins than at the same point last season when they finished with an American League-high 95 losses.
“We took the approach the first few weeks of patience and I’m glad we did, let things play out a little bit, give guys a chance to get their feet under them. It has not really picked up with an exception of a few individuals,” Daniels said before Monday’s game.
With 2010 A.L. MVP and five-time All-Star slugger Josh Hamilton still a few weeks away from rejoining his former team, Texas is hitting a majors-low .216. Seven of the current 13 position players are under .200 and the team has an A.L.-high 24 errors.
Mets honor slain NYPD officer
The Mets and Orioles lined up for a moment of silence Tuesday at Citi Field to honor Officer Brian Moore, who was shot and killed this week while on duty.
The 25-year-old Moore died Monday, two days after he tried to stop a man suspected of carrying a handgun.
Clearing the bases
The Rangers received LHP Mike Kickham on a waiver claim from the Mariners and assigned him to Triple-A Round Rock. Seattle designated him for assignment after he was 0-2 with a 7.29 ERA in five starts in Triple-A. … The Rays stopped RHP Alex Cobb’s rehabilitation program amid a report that he has a partial tear of a ligament in his throwing elbow. … The Tigers’ Justin Verlander had a third MRI on his strained right triceps in Chicago. Verlander began the season on the disabled list, then cut short a simulated game on April 15. … Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia threw 70 pitches during an extended spring training outing and could begin a rehab assignment Sunday. … The Blue Jays selected the contract of UTL Chris Colabello from Buffalo and have optioned INF Jonathan Diaz to the Triple-A team. … The Cubs placed OF Chris Denorfia on the 15-day disabled list because of a hamstring injury and recalled James Russell and Anthony Varvaro from the minor leagues. … The Mets promoted catcher Johnny Monell from Triple-A Las Vegas and sent 1B/3B Eric Campbell to their top minor league team. …Outfielder Cody Ross cleared waivers and was released after his short stint with the Athletics. Ross batted .091 with no home runs in nine games with the A’s. … The Braves designated LHP Donnie Veal for assignment and recalled RHP Brandon Cunniff from Triple-A Gwinnett. … The Indians activated Nick Swisher from the disabled list and optioned fellow OF Tyler Holt to Triple-A Columbus. … The Cardinals recalled LHP Tyler Lyons from Triple-A Memphis and optioned rookie RHP Sam Tuivailala to Memphis. …The Marlins released catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, making him a free agent. Saltalamacchia batted .222 last year with a slugging percentage of .357, worst among regular catchers. He also committed 15 errors, the most by a catcher since 2003. This year he is 2 for 29 (.069) with 12 strikeouts.