Jon Daniels Update On “El Duque”

ARLINGTON - On the porch at Pappasito’s in Arlington, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said this evening that he expects veteran pitcher Orlando Hernandez to take advantage of Monday’s opt-out date in his minor league contract since the Rangers don’t intent to add him to the major league roster by then. Daniels said Hernandez wouldn’t be the first relief option coming from Triple-A Oklahoma, that Hernandez is behind reliever-in-training Neftali Feliz.

Hernandez has worked 11 innings in eight relief appearances, allowing three earned runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts and four walks. Feliz was pitched six times since being moved to the bullpen: 8.2 innings, 1 earned run on four hits, 9 K’s and 1 walk.

Manager Ron Washington said starter Matt Harrison (placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 28 with bicep tendinitis) threw about 70 pitches of live BP today and is scheduled to throw again on Friday.

Derek Holland Back In Rangers Rotation

ARLINGTON – Rangers manager Ron Washington said LHP Derek Holland would rejoin the starting rotation, at least for now.

Holland will start Sunday, the third game after the All-Star break, against heavily left-handed hitting Minnesota. Holland has made seven starts this season for the Rangers, but finished up the first half pitching out of the bullpen. He will replace RHP Dustin Nipper who lasted 3.2 innings in each of his two starts.

The Rangers will open the second half of the season with RHP Vicente Padilla, RHP Scott Feldman and Holland facing Minnesota. RHP Kevin Millwood will open a series against Boston on Monday followed by RHP Tommy Hunter.

Big Pappas Tuesday: The Rundown For A Hot Night In Arlington

OK, folks: Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you tonight from 5-8 at Pappasito’s in Arlington. I mean this is all in addition to the good food, great prices and exceptional companionship we’d offer any night of the week. I’ll be on with BaD Radio, which is filling in for the Hardline, at 3:50 this afternoon to discuss Rangers Baseball and Pappasito’s. In case, you didn’t know that show is on little Ticket.

• Addresses to the crowd (please, please be a crowd) from GM Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington at about 6:3o ish.
• Appearances/autograph signings by Kevin Millwood, David Murphy, Eddie Guardado and Tommy Hunter.
• Home Run Derby for kids and adults featuring the great Chuck Morgan announcing your name over the microphone and with real prizes, too. We’ve got an Ian Kinsler jersey, a Rusty Greer autographed ball among the highlights. Prizes handed out to kids. Adults, you know you’ve always wanted to get in the kids whiffle ball park at Rangers Ballpark, so giving you this opportunity ought to be prize enough. Derby should run from about 5-6.
• Celebrity pitchers for Home Run Derby include former Rangers Jeff Russell and Curtis Wilkerson. I will be tossing, too, until I pass out from heat exhaustion or my arm falls off.
• On-site raffle prize of four tickets to InsideCorner Night at the Ballpark next Tuesday against Boston. Second prize: Eight tickets. (kidding). But, if you haven’t bought tickets yet for our night of fun in Arlington, they are $25 and you can order them online using the password INSIDE. The tickets are in the All You Can Eat section of the Home Run Porch. Ticket reps will also be on site should you choose to purchase tickets there.
• A chance to purchase the Rangers cookbook, register for the Charity Golf Tournament and find out more information about the good work the Texas Rangers Foundation does.
• Special appearance by birthday girl “Becca.”

Preparing For Life After Zubov

I finally have a chance to write about the Stars again, and more specifically, the story that is in the process of completion as speak: The exit of the great Sergei Zubov.

I think many of us hate to see this happen. Zubov is one of my absolute favorite Dallas Stars for years and years. Imagining this organization moving on without him is as tough to process as moving on without Mike Modano or Jere Lehtinen.

But, there comes a time. And that time is now it would appear.

Zubov and his agent claim that they have up to 9 teams who are interested in Zubov. That is a believable number, and in reality, you wonder what the other 20 teams are thinking. A healthy Zubov merits a spot on any team in the National Hockey League. A healthy Zubov is amazing.

A healthy Zubov, say one that is somewhere between the ages of 25-37, is one that kills all of the penalties, powers all of the power plays, and plays roughly 30 minutes of every 60 minute playoff game. He is the calmest player on the ice, but also plays with incredible vision and clarity of what each moment calls for. There is no question that Sergei Zubov is a player who belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame, and it will be an absolute travesty (in my eyes, at least) if that doesn’t happen.

But, that is for later. What about now? Didn’t the Dallas Stars have the 27th best Power Play in the NHL? And, didn’t they also have the 24th best Penalty Kill in the NHL? And would anyone argue that he is the very best defensemen on both of those units that the Dallas Stars have EVER had? – (Some might suggest Derian Hatcher was the better penalty killer for his fine work clearing the crease in front of Ed Belfour, but I would roll with Zubie) – I think back to the firing of Dave Tippett, and when Joe Nieuwendyk was at the press conference he made reference to the special teams not being terribly special. I would interject that Dave Tippett was trying to make due without his best option on the ice.

Which brings us to where we are right now for both parties. I don’t believe Sergei Zubov wants to leave Dallas. And, truth be told, I don’t belive the Dallas Stars want Zubov to leave Dallas, either. So, why is this about to happen?

Follow the money.

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The 39-Man Roster: Ranking Each Of The Texas Rangers In Order Of Value This Season

On the way to a 48-39 record that included spending most of the first half in first place, the Rangers have used 37 players. But there were a total of 39 players on the active roster (neither INF Joaquin Arias nor C Max Ramirez appeared in games). From No. 39 to No. 1, we attempt to rank the individual Rangers in terms of contributions. But you can pretty easily guess who Nos. 38 and 39 are.

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Road To Arlington: Rangers Minor League Report (7/16)

Tullis pitching for his JUCO team

Let’s crank up the hype machine for Spokane’s Braden Tullis, the Rangers eighth rounder in the 2009 draft who is off to a phenomenal start to his pro career.

The 19 year old righty was not drafted coming out of his Boise, Idaho high school where he was primarily a first baseman and better known as a linebacker. He went on to Sagit Valley Community College in Washington to focus on pitching and he made enormous strides in short order.

Shortly after being selected, lonestardugout.com’s Jason Cole interviewed Tullis, who explained that his primary pitch is a two-seamer with a ton of natural sink and run.

Tullis dominated again last night in Spokane’s 2-1 loss to Tri-City. Check the recap for a rundown on his outstanding numbers.

UPDATE: Tullis got a sleeper alert notice from Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus this morning. Check it out.

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