The Depot: Rangers-Twins Live Game Blog, News, Notes and High School Football Highlights

6:15: The home run pool remains open for your diving and enjoyment.

6:22: C Jarrod Saltalamacchia had no issues throwing to bases during a workout today in Minneapolis and then boarded a flight back to Dallas. He will begin what he hopes is a three-game rehab assignment for the RoughRiders on Saturday. If all goes well, he could be activated on Tuesday for the doubleheader against Toronto. And now off to the set. Back soon. Please, talk amongst yourselves.

7:37: Having some technical difficulties here. But as we were on the air, reports were buzzing that Scott Kazmir was being traded (or has been traded to the Angels). Lot of comments and questions in the comments section about what Rangers would have had to give up to get Kazmir. It’s fruitless talk. The Rangers couldn’t have taken on Kazmir’s long-term contract.

7:56: The Rangers have signed INF-OF Ryan Freel to a minor league contract and assigned him to Oklahoma City. Expect Freel to join the club after Sept. 1 as an extra utility man.

8:04: Barring injury, it’s only a matter of time before 2B Ian Kinsler becomes the second 30-30 man in Rangers history. Tonight, he became the fifth 25-25 man (does that make him 50-Cent?). With his first-inning steal of second, he has 28 homers and 25 steals.

8:23: So after that first inning in which the Twins jumped on a couple of sliders, RHP Tommy Hunter has pitched three scoreless. He’ll go to the fifth. Hunter has 66 pitches through four, so that’s pretty manageable. The thing I like about Hunter – well, I like a lot of things – but the thing I like most is he shows all the traits of an innings-eater. He’s pitched at least five innings in all 11 of his starts this season and he’s pitched into the sixth in all but two of them. He may not have overpowering stuff, but he’s got all kinds of moxie.

8:50: Tommy Hunter gets hit in the chest by a Justin Morneau liner. Recovers to get the out and it seems to knock a little bit more break into his curve. Threw some very sharp ones to work another 1-2-3 inning. By the way, he now has qualified for a quality start.

The Depot: Rangers-Yankees Live Game Blog, News, Notes – Now Completey Free of Brett Favre Talk

11:30: The home run pool is open for lunch time swim. Also, your Flying Fish $5 off coupon can still be printed for use at lunch today, though after game time, it’s likely to disappear. And speaking of lunch, I didn’t get to a New York deli this trip, but perhaps you’d like to hear me and some of my deli-loving friends discussing Dallas’ newest attempt at a delicatessen.

12:34: So, what do you think the chances are we are going to be seeing RHP Pedro Strop (rhymes with “soap”) this afternoon? I’d put them at better than 50-50- since RHP Dustin Nippert walked three batters in the first inning and threw 36 pitches.

12:52: If Nippert ever hopes to get a long-term shot at the rotation, he’s going to have to do some of the “little things” bettter. In particilar, that means holding runners (they are 8-for-9) stealing againstm him this season. They are 18-for-21 against him in his career. He also made a fielding error this year in seven chances. He’s made three in 30 career chances.

1:16: More complete story on the Jason Jennings-Pedro Strop move.

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The Depot: Rangers-Yankees Live Game Blog, News, Notes and Tours of Yankee Stadium

5:13: The home run pool is open.

6:11: Rangers manager Ron Washington said he’s not concerned about RHP Jason Grilli, who hasn’t retired any of the five batters he has faced since returning from the DL.

Grilli, who missed two weeks with elbow inflammation, said he’s perfectly healthy. Just because he’s struggling immediately after returning from the DL, the two should not be connected, Grilli said.

“I would not have come back if I wasn’t healthy,” he said. “I don’t want to put the team in that situation. There are no excuses for not getting the job done. I’m confident, comfortable and I want to get the ball back again soon.”

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The Depot: Rangers-Yankees Live Game Blog, News, Notes and Discounted Subway Tokens

5:29: The City Homer Pool is open for your splashing pleasure. And you might want to read about how the promotion of Chris Davis will ripple through the Rangers clubhouse. For the 71 percent of you who voted that Andruw Jones was the most likely casualty from the 25-man roster, congratulations for being right.

6:03: Small correction to the lineup. The outfield alignments is actually LF Nelson Cruz, CF Marlon Byrd, RF Josh Hamilton. Two things about this. It’s the first time this season Cruz has started in left field and I think you can pretty safely assume Josh Hamilton is now a right fielder who may occasionally play center when Marlon Byrd is in the lineup, not a center fielder who moves over to right.

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The Depot: Rangers-Rays Live Game Blog, News and Notes – Now with SPF 45!

11:15: We’re watching the Rays wives take on the Tampa Bay Bucs wives in a very well-played softball game, butyou can kill time until the game by entering the Home Run Pool. Or reading Martellus Bennett’s bloggy meanderings. Or this excellent profile on Derek Holland by the DMN’s Barry Horn. (I have a feeling where Jack_Daddy will be headed first).

12:25: The Rangers have re-signed 3B Travis Metcalf, who was released earlier in the week by the Kansas City organization. Metcalf will go to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Metcalf, who turned 27 last week, was hitting .219 for Omaha before being released.

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The Depot: Rangers-Rays Live Game Blog, News, Notes and Country Music Jamboree

5:30: Still plenty of time to dive into the home run pool. Also, to pass the time until first pitch, you can either survey today’s Rangers notes or revisit the big issue from last night’s game.

6:14: So, I spent a little time with newest favorite hick-hop artist, Cowboy Troy, formerly of Skyline High and the University of Texas. The Cowboy was here to throw out the first pitch on “Country Night.” The night culminates with a Big & Rich concert after the game. I’ll be spiffying up the blog tonight with some of my interview with Cowboy Troy, who I’m thinking would be a great musical act for the first Cornerpalooza. Troy, also known as Troy Coleman, went to the top of the mound and looked like Fergie Jenkins up there. He brought the high heat for a strike. He’ll also perform after the game.

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The Depot: Rangers-Rays Live Game Blog, News, Notes and Fishing Forecasts for the Gulf Coast

3:33: Yes, if you look closely, you may notice a new addition to The Depot. Courtesy of the fine folks at Flying Fish and Flying Saucer, we have a new game designed to help feed you and to help improve the Rangers’ on-base percentage. It’s simple. If the Rangers win, you win ($5 off your non-alcoholic purchase at Flying Saucer). Whether the clubs wins or not, if it takes four or more walks, you win. ($5 off your non-alcoholic purchase at Flying Fish). You don’t even have to follow the game. Just click on the ad after the game and we’ll have the results on whether you are a winner or a double-winner or if you should just wait for the next day (because we would never call anybody a loser). Yes, that is supposed to be over in the corner. Stop giggling.

5:12: Your home run pool entry form is right here.

5:14: Manager Ron Washington expects to activate RHP Jason Grilli sometime over the weekend, most likely on Saturday. The Rangers will not send out a position player and go back to an eight-man bullpen. Barring a health issue, it appears Grilli would likely replace RHP Willie Eyre. The big news out of that announcement: OF Julio Borbon will remain with the club.

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Rangers-Twins In-Game Blog, News, Notes

ARLINGTON - Don’t worry. I think Evan is just catching up on his laundry before heading out on the next road trip. He has already been busy  from his palatial estate, confirming that Triple-A Oklahoma’s Jose Vallejo is the player to be named later sent to Houston in the Pudge Rodriguez trade. And he linked to the Houston TV report in which the Purkes addressed their perspective of the recent draft negotitations.

And we’ve gathered some notes here at Rangers Ballpark regarding the activation of Nelson Cruz, what could happen at DH and at first base.

For Thursday night’s series finale with the Minnesota Twins, no Justin Morneau or Jason Kubel in the lineup against Derek Holland.

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The Depot: Rangers-Twins Live Game Blog, News, Notes and Additional Paul McCartney Parking

5:39: Have you seen our new home run pool? It’s lovely and it’s Pudge-friendly. DH Andruw Jones is once again working at becoming 1B Andruw Jones, while LHP Eddie Guardado is on the DL and OF Nelson Cruz remains on a rehab assignment.

7:08: The red catching equipment Ivan Rodriguez is wearing tonight kinda clashes with the blue hats and predominantly blue lettering across the front of the Rangers’ jerseys. But for some reason, on him, it looks just right.

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The Depot: Rangers-Twins In-Game Blog, Notes

ARLINGTON - Sorry for the late start. (Evan should be back tomorrow night, by the way.) For those in the Home Run Pool, the listing of Elvis Andrus hitting ninth at short was incorrect. Omar Vizquel instead.

Here is the recent posting of Pudge Rodriguez and Jon Daniels meeting with the media separately this afternoon following Rodriguez’s acqusition from Houston.

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Monday’s Depot: Texas Rangers-Minnesota Twins In-Game Blog, News, Notes and Draft Watching

ARLINGTON - Full disclosure that Mr. Grant won’t be at the park this evening and maybe not for much of this four-game series.

As of this hour, Rangers first-round draft pick LHP Matt Purke from Klein HS is part of the unsigned crowd in the top half of the first round. At No. 14, there are eight draftees ahead of him also unsigned. RHP Shelby Miller from Brownwood HS, No. 19 to St. Louis, just signed today. The deadline for signing is 11:01 CDT, though signings don’t have to be announced by then.

And we’ll try to keep an eye on Nelson Cruz and Brandon McCarthy in action for Triple-AAA Oklahoma this evening.

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The Depot: Rangers-Red Sox Live Game Blog, News, Notes And Entertaining Music Videos

11:38: The homer pool is open for brunch time swimming. Also, now appearing at the home run pool: Bobby McFerrin performing his hit single: “Don’t Worry, Be Feliz.” (many thanks to Drew Sheppard for the video and the Awesome AJM for passing it along).

Neftali Feliz – Be Happy from Drew Sheppard on Vimeo.

11:42: Just wondering: Your thoughts on the Feliz music video vs. the music video created for the guy Feliz was traded for.

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The Depot: Rangers-Indians Live Game Blog, News, Notes, Brunch And Guaranteed Hangover Remedies

10:13: I love the way the water in the Home Run Pool sparkles in the early morning sun.

10:15: Currently tuned to “Your Baby Can Read” On Fox Sports Southwest as I await the beginning of Rangers Live! pre-game show. I’m just going to go out on a limb here and say this isn’t the best broadcasting lead-in in history.

11:04: So, RHP Scott Feldman is shooting for his 12th win of the season today, which would tie him for second in the AL in victories behind Josh Beckett (14). Who would it tie him with? Glad, I asked. Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia and Jered Weaver. That’s pretty heady company for a guy who wasn’t a starter until last April and who wasn’t in the starting rotation at the beginning of the season. Disclaimer: Sabathia and Verlander are each scheduled to pitch today.

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The Depot: Rangers-Indians Live Game Blog And Watching Party From Pappasito’s In Dallas

5:46: The home run pool is open, but we ask that you put your swimming togs away before showing up here. No shirt, no shoes, no service. Hey, the Health Department does have some regulations.

6:10: Julio Borbon leads off with a walk, meaning I’ve got to take my first shot of Tequila.

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Long-Distance, Second-Hand Depot: Texas Rangers-Cleveland Indians In-Game Blog, Notes

Don’t panic. Evan will be along in a bit. In the meantime, I’ll unlock the doors and let you to shoot as you like.

I’ll also keep an eye on the Tigers-Red Sox, with Boston throwing Junichi Tazawa.

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