Last Wednesday, Texas placed Carl Everett on the DL retroactive to May 5th. Everett strained his right calf while running the bases during the Rangers' May 4th game in Cleveland.

The Rangers aren't discussing the seriousness of Everett's injury. They don't appear to have a schedule for his return, and Texas wanted to have a full bench as they don't know whether he will be healthy in a few days or a few weeks.

Kevin Mench returned from the minors to fill Everett's roster spot. Texas called up Mench earlier in the year when injuries depleted their bench. However, he was demoted when the Rangers activated Rob Bell for a few spot starts. Mench could receive considerable playing time with Juan Gonzalez still on the DL and the other injuries to the outfield.

The Rangers' bench has been severely tasked over the last week as both Frank Catalanotto and Rafael Palmeiro have been sidelined with injuries. Catalanotto hasn't played since May 10th due to a tight groin. However, he's been rehabbing the injury and thinks he can return by the end of the week, so he'll likely avoid a trip to the disabled list.

A Monday MRI showed that Palmeiro strained his calf on Sunday. Palmeiro has never been placed on the DL and doesn't intend to break that streak for this injury, so he will likely continue to rehab the leg for a few more days and then return to the lineup gradually. The earliest he would return to the lineup would probably be this weekend.

Bill Haselman, filling in for Ivan Rodriguez as the starting catcher, was hit by a pitch on his right elbow yesterday. The team doesn't currently think the injury is overly serious, but it will likely force him to miss a few days, further depleting the bench. IRod is still determining whether or not he'll need surgery while he waits for his second cortisone shot to start working.

The only good news the team can expect in the near future is that Juan Gonzalez should soon return from the DL. He's begun a brief rehab assignment in extended Spring Training, and barring a setback, should join the club by the weekend.

Texas demoted Hank Blalock when they activated Chan Ho Park from the disabled list. In 100 at-bats, Blalock compiled a 12:33 BB:K with 20 hits, including 8 doubles and a homerun, for a .200 BA, .292 OBP, and .310 SLG. He was already sitting against most lefties.

The 21-year-old had only a partial season of 272 AB at AA last year with no time at AAA, so he could likely use the additional reps to develop in the minors. He was unable to maintain his historically good plate discipline under the pressure of the majors. However, I do think he'll be ready to return by September and may be recalled sooner if injuries continue to plague Texas. Hopefully, he'll receive the time he needs in AAA to develop into the potential Hall of Fame player fans expect him to become.

Park went on the DL following his first start of the season but now appears to have finally recovered from his hamstring injury. He chose not to make any rehab starts, but his first start back with the team went well. Park went 5 innings with 4 strikeouts while only allowing 1 walk and 4 hits. Texas needs him to return and perform as they expected when they signed him as a free agent this off-season.

Meanwhile, Ismael Valdes has not yet been bothered by blisters but has been sidelined with a variety of other ailments this season. After almost missing the start of the season with a strained elbow, he's now suffering from back problems. His back began bothering him the last week of April and then he left the team for a few days to be with his mother while she underwent surgery. He'll now miss his next start, though the Rangers are not yet ready to place him on the DL.

Former Ranger Jose Canseco retired on Monday. He'd been playing with the Charlotte Knighs in the AAA International League after signing a minor league deal with the White Sox following his release by the Expos late in Spring Training.

Canseco hoped to reach 500 home runs before retiring, but teams were unwilling to carry him on the major league roster due to concerns about his fielding. He retires with 462 HR and 200 SB, along with a .266 BA, .353 OBP, and .515 SLG in 7057 career at-bats over 1887 games. Seven major league teams employed Canseco during his 17-year career, including Oakland, Texas, Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay, the Yankees, and the White Sox. In 1988, he became the first player to ever hit 40 HR and steal 40 bases in a single season.

While I haven't yet decided if Canseco belongs in the Hall of Fame, he'll certainly be remembered as one of the more newsworthy players of his era. A few teams could still use his services, and I find it unfortunate that no GM realizes that he could still help an offense as a DH against left-handers.

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