Tearing it Up
SHOO, BIG CAT ... Actually, the Rangers are playing .550 ball since early June, and haven't lost a series in that time. But the goal isn't to get back in any kind of contention -- that's well out of reach -- but to showcase players for possible trade value. With the Fred McGriff trade to the Cubs still in limbo, the Rangers are giving more playing time to veteran Andres Galarraga in the hope that he will emerge as a viable alternative for Chicago or Atlanta to deal for. Galarraga himself recently admitted, "Right now I'm playing for the scouts," then promptly homered against Colorado.

Slumping
VELARDE, AS IN VERSATILE ... Randy Velarde has returned to the active roster, and will get plenty of playing time without actually having a starting position. Narron has indicated that Velarde will see time at 1B, 2B, 3B and possibly even the OF; Velarde has in turn indicated he will be judging how much he likes the utilityman role as he and the Rangers mutually decide his fate for 2002. Narron and GM Doug Melvin would love next year's bench to include Velarde, Frank Catalanotto, who can play everywhere but shortstop and behind the plate, and Scooter Sheldon, who can play all eight defensive positions.

At the Plate
WHO WANTS IT? ... With Rusty Greer's DL stint continuing to stretch out indefinitely, the Rangers have searched for someone to fill his leadoff spot. Catalanotto has hit just .255 in 20 starts there, while Bo Porter was optioned to AAA to make room for Velarde, who has seen time at the top of the order himself. Ricky Ledee raised his average from .143 to .218 over the last three weeks, but hasn't fit well at leadoff; Chad Curtis, who did hit well there, has been on the DL longer than Greer. So Narron finally plopped rookie Mike Young into the leadoff role, and he responded with two homers. He'll get more chances.

Probable Starters July 16, Bell vs. SF (Jensen) July 17, Rogers vs. SF (Rueter) July 18D, Helling @ BAL (Towers) July 18N, Myette @ BAL (TBD) July 19, Davis @ BAL (Roberts)

From the Rubber
NO RESPECT ... Sure, the Texas pitching has generally been abominable this season, but how did Ryan Glynn and rehabbed reliever Danny Kolb manage to get through waivers? Both are working at Oklahoma and should return to Arlington some time this season ... Aaron Myette was ripped in relief of Davis on Saturday, but is still scheduled to start the back end of a day/night doubleheader in Baltimore on Wednesday. The other Ranger alternative is to call up Glynn, R.A. Dickey, or one of the hot arms at AA Tulsa, but it's more likely that Myette will get a chance to bring his ERA as a starter down into single digits.

On the Mend
IS IT THE CHAD? ... Curtis was placed on the DL back on May 3, then re-injured his hamstring a month later during a rehab assignment at Oklahoma. Curtis told the Dallas Morning News over the weekend, "The best scenario is I miss three months," which would put him back on the active roster, at the very earliest, some time during the first week of August. Even then, if everything else plays out as expected, Curtis would be behind Greer, Gabe Kapler, Ledee, Catalanotto and Ruben Sierra in the OF rotation, with Sheldon and Velarde also available, Porter in AAA, and stud Kevin Mench in Tulsa. Let Curtis go now.