Rangers Checking Kouzmanoff's Back Before Beltre Move
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Texas third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff was scheduled to be evaluated Friday at home by a back specialist before the Rangers have to make a roster move to active Adrian Beltre from the disabled list.
Kouzmanoff, who is hitting .362 in 13 games and is the reigning AL player of the week, came out of Tuesday's game at Oakland because of a sore back.
General manager Jon Daniels said Kouzmanoff has some history of lower back problems and was still having symptoms Thursday, an off day for the Rangers between series at Oakland and Seattle. Daniels said Kouzmanoff was traveling back to Texas and that the Rangers hoped to have a report from Dr. Drew Dossett before making room on the roster for Beltre, the third baseman who hasn't played since April 8 because of a left quad strain.
Left-hander Pedro Figueroa, who has had Tommy John surgery in the past, has a torn ligament in his elbow and damage to a flexor tendon. The reliever, who last week got his first two major league victories in consecutive games, will likely have surgery next week.
Figueroa was put on the disabled list Wednesday after throwing only one pitch Tuesday night. He was the 11th Rangers player to go on the DL this year.
Daniels said Shin-Soo Choo reported improvement Thursday on his sore left ankle that the team is "expecting at this point to be able to avoid the DL." The outfielder got hurt Monday night at Oakland when he landed awkwardly when extending his leg to beat out what was ruled an infield single.
Former Rangers closer Neftali Feliz was put on the minor league disabled list with Triple-A Round Rock because of soreness and inflammation around his right elbow.
Team physician Dr. Keith Meister examined Feliz, and Daniels said Feliz is on oral medication for the inflammation and could resume throwing early next week. There appears to be no structural damage or issues with any ligaments.
Feliz had ligament replacement surgery Aug. 1, 2012, after starting that season in the rotation, and returned to the Texas bullpen for six appearances at the end of last season. The Rangers sent him to the minors after he was inconsistent with his velocity and performance during spring training.
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