July 2011 - Texas Rangers Wiretap

Rangers pitcher Brandon Webb had a "good" mound session on Sunday and can finally see the finish line. Webb has only pitched a handful of innings over the last two seasons. Asked if Sunday's 26- to 28-pitch session was a breakthrough, Webb said, "I think so. I think it was a good day. It's definitely a step in the right direction." He tried to come back too quickly last season and was constantly hit with setbacks, which is why Sunday's session with no pain or glitches was so encouraging for him. "It was good. Zero issues. Felt really good," Webb said. "Threw some changeups. Felt fine, didn't want to stop so that was good."

The Rangers have agreed to terms with shortstop Elvis Andrus and five others on contracts for the 2011 season. Andrus, an All-Star last season after being runner-up for AL rookie of the year in 2009, got a $452,180 contract for this season. The Rangers also reached deals Saturday with utility infielder Andres Blanco, outfielder Craig Gentry and right-handers Omar Beltre, Eric Hurley and Alexi Ogando.

Colby Lewis hopes for a stellar 2011 season after a successful run with the Rangers during the playoffs. "We'll see how he goes through the league a second time," manager Ron Washington said. "But I'll certainly put him up against any pitcher in the league." Lewis was 12-13 with a 3.72 ERA in 32 starts in 2010 after signing a two-year, $5 million contract with the Rangers last offseason. "As a pitcher, we have a job to do, and that's to go out and get outs," Lewis said. "I know the offensive guys are trying to do their job. Sometimes it doesn't work out. It doesn't weigh on my mind. I have a job to do, and they have a job to do. I can't get caught up in that." He made four starts and was 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in the postseason.

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre has a Grade I right calf muscle strain and will not take part in spring training games for 10 to 14 days. Texas doesn't believe the injury will hinder Beltre's ability to be ready for Opening Day. "Nobody wants to be hurt," Beltre said. "The positive side would be that it's better to happen now than during the season. I have time to get healthy."

Rangers pitcher Omar Beltre has had surgery after being diagnosed with a genetic narrowing of the spine. Texas assistant general manager Thad Levine said Thursday that there were no surprises and that the surgery a day earlier "went as well as could be expected." He is at least six weeks away from any baseball activities.

Rangers manager Ron Washington was excited by what he saw from Brandon Webb's "heavy" long toss session on Thursday. "Wow," Washington said. "The ball was coming out of his hand really good. The arm strength is picking up." Webb threw 60-65 pitches off flat ground during a 17-minute session Thursday. He has pitched only a few innings in each of the last two seasons due to shoulder issues.

Michael Young has left the Rangers for a few days because of a family matter. The team said Wednesday that the veteran infielder will leave spring training camp to attend to unspecified "family matters." He is expected to return to camp 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 has requested a trade from Texas.

Rangers left-handed pitcher C.J. Wilson was named the team's Opening Day starter by manager Ron Washington on Tuesday. Wilson led Texas with 15 wins last season as they advanced all the way to the World Series. "It's cool," Wilson said. "That gives me a chance to make 34 or 35 starts." The Rangers will open the season on April 1 against the Red Sox.

Rangers infielder Michael Young met with a young fan last week that was upset when he heard that the veteran had requested a trade. Gavin Justice-Farmer, 3, was taped by his mother when she told him that Young might no longer play for Texas. The video, which became an instant YouTube sensation, shows Gavin, sitting at the kitchen table, taking his Rangers cap and dropping it on the floor while lowering his head in disappointment. It prompted Young to organize a meeting with Gavin at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington's merchandise store last Wednesday, a few days before Young left for spring training. "It was great to meet him. He's a good kid, and we had a fun time," Young said. "The young fans are the best part of the game." When stories came out about Young requesting to be traded by Texas, Justice said she mentioned it to Gavin and he immediately looked confused. "He's very articulate for a 3-year-old and it's funny to hear what comes out of his mouth," Justice said. "He's a huge Rangers fan. It turned into this big, melodramatic 3-year-old reaction. I didn't know he would be that upset. But his hero might be gone, and there are grown men out there that might drop their hat on the floor and do the same thing. It kind of exploded overnight online and I didn't expect that."

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre has a mild strain of his right calf muscle and was not scheduled to run on Monday. Beltre complained about the calf after workouts in chilly conditions on Sunday.