Last Updated on May 21, 2007 7:15 pm by admin
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -The Texas Rangers activated outfielder Frank Catalanotto from the 15-day disabled list Monday and sent infielder Travis Metcalf back to Double-A Frisco.
Catalanotto was batting .140 in 18 games before going on the DL May 1 with tendinitis in his right biceps. He played one rehabilitation game at Frisco and four at Triple-A Oklahoma, where he hit .385 with two doubles and scored five runs.
The time off allowed Catalanotto, who started the season with a career average of .297, to work on his swing while the arm soreness subsided.
“I feel like the old Catalanotto again,” he said.
Catalanotto was in the Rangers’ lineup at designated hitter Monday night against the Minnesota Twins. Manager Ron Washington said Catalanotto’s arm should be strong enough to allow him to play the outfield by this weekend.
“He can swing the bat, but he’s still not ready to go in the outfield,” Washington said. “Hopefully by the end of this week, he will. He’s been throwing light. As soon as he tells me he can throw, I’ll put him out there.”
Metcalf was 0-for-2 in two games after getting called up from Frisco on Friday when third baseman Hank Blalock was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, which affects the nerves that pass through the shoulder into the neck.
Blalock had surgery Monday to remove a rib to alleviate the problem and could miss up to three months. Metcalf was thought to be his replacement, but the Rangers are now expected to use Ramon Vazquez and Matt Kata at third. Vazquez went 6-for-7 with two home runs in two starts at third base over the weekend against Houston.
Blalock is on the 60-day disabled list and could be out until September. He was hitting .285 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 39 games.
“Losing Hank is terrible,” Catalanotto said. “That’s a big hole in the lineup. I know I’ve got to step up.”