Friday a.m. Rangers things

That was a nice little win last night...

Jeff Wilson's game story celebrates Endy Chavez, who went 4 for 4 last night...

T.R. Sullivan says in his game story that Chavez "will likely" still be in the majors when Julio Borbon is ready to return.

Evan Grant writes that the Rangers' bullpen earned some trust with yesterday's 6 inning, 1 run performance.

Joey Matches looks at the dilemma the Rangers have, in regard to Chavez's performance and Julio Borbon's imminent return.  As Joey points out, it doesn't make a lot of sense to have both your backup outfielders -- David Murphy and either Chavez or Borbon -- be lefty hitters when two of your three starting outfielders also swing lefty.  Having both Borbon and Chavez on the 25 man roster seems less than productive...if you think Chavez is too valuable to put on waivers, you have to send Borbon down and keep Craig Gentry. 

Personally, I doubt Chavez would out-perform Borbon the rest of the way, and thus would probably keep Borbon instead.

The S-T's notes are heavy on injured pitcher news, including an update on Matt Harrison's blister, Tommy Hunter's resuming a rehab assignment, and Mason Tobin's most recent Tommy John surgery, which occurred yesterday.  Expect Tobin to be on the shelf until at least the second half of 2011. 

The Rangers are going to end up having to make a decision this offseason on whether they want to keep Tobin on the 40 man roster throughout the winter, or put him on waivers and offer him back.  Given the names that are 40 man addition candidates -- Neil Ramirez, Martin Perez, Roman Mendez, Jake Brigham and Matt West, just among the pitchers -- the team may feel like there are better uses of a roster spot this offseason.

Sullivan's notes include info on Manny Delcarmen joining Round Rock, Matt West's conversion to pitching, and an update on Tanner Scheppers.

Sullivan writes that Brandon Webb's rehab assignment has been shut down because of shoulder discomfort.  And at this point, I'm not writing about Webb anymore, unless he gets released or is far enough along on his rehab assignment that his return to the majors looks imminent.  I see no reason right now to believe that he'll pitch in the majors this season, unless it is a token inning in a meaningless game in September after rosters expand, like Texas did with Justin Thompson.