Tearing it Up
RUMOR MILL ... Trade winds are starting catch the attention of fantasy owners everywhere. The two most persistent rumors have the Rangers tracking Montreal closer Ugueth Urbina (again) and rehabbing San Diego lefty Sterling Hitchcock. While both would look good in Ranger blue, even acquiring both wouldn't likely make the Rangers contenders. The Expos especially seem to be trying to "sell high," and are targeting OF Ruben Mateo (.234/0/10); while Mateo has started slowly, he's not likely to be going anywhere, so unless Montreal settles for a deal centered on Ricky Ledee, don't expect Urbina in Arlington.

Slumping
SHOULDA MADE THE DEAL ... Near the end of spring training, the Red Sox reportedly offered Texas Rolando Arrojo for SS Kelly Dransfeldt. Since then, Arrojo has pitched well in the Boston pen while Dransfeldt has slumped at AAA Oklahoma. This is relevant since the Padres want middle infield help in any Hitchcock deal, and now would probably demand either Mike Young or Jason Romano, neither of whom the Rangers want to give up. Speaking of slumping, remember that these reports come primarily from Peter Gammons, who missed badly last year on "done" deals involving John Wetteland, Esteban Loiaza and Luis Alicea.

At the Plate
WELCOME BACK ... There was special meaning to the first time fans in the Ballpark heard "Welcome Back" over the public address system as Gabe "Kotter" Kapler returned this week. He's picked up right where he left off in the second half of last season, and is at .381/0/5 with three SB in just six games and 21 AB. If he's available in your league, go pick him up before someone beats you to the waiver wire. His hot start has meant more pine time for Mateo as he looks for his stroke, while Chad Curtis and Bo Porter will see less and less time as Mateo improves and Ledee comes back next month.

Probable Starters May 1, Rogers vs. DET May 2, Oliver vs. DET May 3, Helling vs. DET May 4, Davis vs. CWS May 5, Dickey vs. CWS

From the Rubber
UGH ... The only Ranger pitcher worth having on an active roster is closer Jeff Zimmerman (1-1, 2.19, three saves). The four-man starting rotation is led by Kenny Rogers (1-2, 6.35), while fellow lefties Doug Davis (2-2) and Darren Oliver (a miraculous 4-0) have identical 6.49 ERAs. Rick Helling has actually improved to 1-4, 8.07. Rogers and Helling may be worth bench slots based on reputation. The new fifth starter -- and this shouldn’t matter to any fantasy owner, but for the record -- will come from R.A. Dickey (0-0, 6.00 in 3 IP), Ryan Glynn (0-3, 11.69) and current long man Pat Mahomes (1-2, 3.72).

On the Mend
CATCHING UP ... Pudge Rodriguez owners shouldn't worry too much about his bruised left heel, suffered Friday while running out a ninth-inning ground ball; he will return to the lineup Tuesday against Detroit ... Closer Tim Crabtree seems to be regressing, and it could be late May or early June before he recovers from herniated disks in his lower back and returns to action. By then, Zimmerman may have nailed down the closer job ... Ledee has begun rehab in Arlington and will be out at least four more weeks ... OF Chad Curtis and 3B Ken Caminiti claim they are ready to play, but Johnny Oates is playing it safe.