Tearing it Up
YOUNG GUNS ... Davis isn't the only youngster "pitching in" to help the desperate Ranger situation. Juan Moreno continues to shine, with a 1.93 ERA in 14 games -- but keep an eye on that K/BB ratio (13/12) ... Jeff Zimmerman has settled into the closer role, and is 8-for-10 in save chances, with a sparkling 1.04 WHIP -- but keep an eye on those six homers allowed, four to lose ballgames ... Closer of the future Francisco Cordero is back after dominating AAA hitters (1-0, 0.59 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, six saves in 12 games) -- but Jerry Narron has stated clearly that for now, "He's a seventh or eighth inning kind of guy."

Slumping
GROWING PAINS ... The young Ranger bats have struggled, however. CF Gabe Kapler (.261/10/34) is in an extended slide ... 2B Mike Young (.225/1/5 in 71 AB) is struggling with his first look at big league pitching, but will continue to play ... 3B Mike Lamb (.176/0/2 in 17 AB) looks more comfortable than last year and should be a moderately productive corner infielder the rest of the season ... LF Ricky Ledee, getting another chance with Rusty Greer out, has just four hits and three RBI in his first 28 at-bats ... If you haven't yet abandoned veteran Andres Galarraga (.214, 63 K in 214 AB), don't wait any longer.

At the Plate
STUCK IN THE '80's ... Memo to Ruben Sierra (.315/8/27 in 89 AB): yes, it's still 1989. [Existentially, that means the Web hasn't been invented, so the memo format precludes delivery] ... To address the dominant reader e-mail question ("Should I pick up Sierra?"), my best answer: I have signed him to my AL-only team, but not in my universe league ... Pudge Rodriguez is starting to have one of his ridiculous hot streaks (two recent two-homer games) and is at .289/15/37 ... Frankie "Little Cat" Catalanotto, I'm happy to say you're proving me wrong: at .306/5/21 in 160 AB, maybe you can handle everyday status.

Probable Starters June 24, Bell @ OAK (Heredia) June 25, Rogers @ ANA (Valdes) June 26, Helling @ ANA (Wise) June 27, Davis @ ANA (Washburn) June 28, Oliver @ ANA (Rapp)

From the Rubber
MOUNDS DON'T ... Other than Davis, the rotation has been erratic ... Rick Helling seems to have settled down, and is worth a spot on most fantasy teams; at 1-6/7.19 just a month ago, Little Ricky has already improved to 5-7/5.98 ... Darren Oliver is still 6-2/6.23, but Saturday showed he's still capable of his old tricks, allowing seven hits and four walks in just 3.2 innings, but escaping with a no-decision ... Rob Bell makes his second Ranger start Sunday afternoon against Oakland, after a shaky (4.2 IP, 7 hits, 5 ER, 2 HR) debut against Anaheim last week ... Kenny Rogers (3-4, 5.29) is steady but mediocre.

On the Mend
HAMSTRUNG ... Four Rangers are out with hamstring injuries; the worst belongs to Chad Curtis, who Narron says is still a "long way" from returning. The others (Greer, Ken Caminiti, Randy Velarde) are traveling with the club. Velarde is taking ground balls at 3B which increases the likelihood of a Caminiti trade (to Atlanta?) and should be lighting a fire under Lamb ... In the continuing game of musical catchers, future MLB manager Bill Haselman was activated from the 60-day DL ... Ryan Glynn could be creating a nice problem for the Rangers -- pitching depth. He threw five shutout innings in a rehab start Friday.