The Texas Rangers exercised their $6.2 million club option to retain Hank Blalock on Friday. It's likely that Blalock will become the designated hitter in 2009, Manager Ron Washington said. Blalock was forced to finish 2008 at first because of a gimpy throwing shoulder. "It?ll primarily be as the DH," Washington said. "I can guarantee you he won?t just be a DH. He will have his days in the field."