Beltre’s close, Ross needs another rehab outing

To the surprise of some, the Rangers are above .500 and gearing up for another season of meaningful baseball. They’re doing it right now without Cole Hamels, Jake Diekman, Carlos Gomez, and Jose Leclerc.

Oh yeah, and some guy named Adrian Beltre.

However, according to the beats, Texas might get baseball’s best ever third baseman back as soon as Monday if everything goes well in a few rehab outings in Arizona this weekend. (I demand that you cross every finger and knock on every wood.)

Tyson Ross could come soon after to provide a boost to the rotation as Jon Daniels confirmed that Texas will have Ross toss a second rehab start for Round Rock on Monday before making a decision on his debut with the Rangers.

Ross, who pitched five scoreless innings yesterday, could join Texas for their series against the Houston Astros next weekend if all goes to plan.

Lastly, while we’re on the good feelings train, here’s Michael Matuella’s line from today’s game for Low-A Hickory:

3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

It’s just three innings but it’s arguably the best outing of Matuella’s young professional career.

If Matuella can keep healthy and doing things like that, perhaps it will take some of the sting out of Tim Bogar’s Revenge.