Hank Blalock’s return to the Texas Rangers’ lineup has been delayed once again.

Blalock hoped to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday and join the Rangers this weekend in Washington. But now he’ll start his assignment with Oklahoma this weekend and plans to be ready to play when the Rangers are in Houston on Tuesday.

"I came in here and hit in the stadium [Monday],"said Blalock, who is recovering from surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome."It felt really good. I was able to push through some soreness. It’s still sore today, so they backed me up a series."

Blalock plans to stay with the Rangers until Saturday, hitting as much as possible. He started hitting in New York, but his routine was thrown off by weather problems.

"It felt strong, and everything felt great,"said Blalock, who has been on the disabled list since April 29."The balls were carrying. Hitting off a live arm, you need to make sure your timing is right."

Pitchers hitting

Manager Ron Washington has taken note of injuries suffered by American League pitchers while batting and running the bases during interleague play.

Bartolo Colon and Chien-Ming Wang have been placed on the disabled list with injuries Washington described as"freak."

But Washington wasn’t worried about any Rangers pitchers going down during last weekend’s series at Shea Stadium. The thought never crossed his mind, and he will continue to let them swing away during upcoming series at Washington and at Houston.

"If there’s a man on base, I’ll make them bunt,"he said."If there’s nobody on base, let them swing."

That might not be a bad move. Scott Feldman and Kason Gabbard each collected their first major league hits against the Mets.

Glad to see you

Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was the Braves’ top prospect entering last season, but by July 31 he was the key piece of the Mark Teixeira trade with the Rangers.

The deal helped Saltalamacchia’s career, he said, as he was blocked by Brian McCann in Atlanta. But that doesn’t mean Saltalamacchia didn’t leave a few good friends behind.

"I talked to a couple guys here and there, so I’m excited to see them a little bit,"he said."The Braves were awesome. They gave me every opportunity and got me to where I am now."

Briefly

Milton Bradley left Tuesday’s game in the third inning with a slightly strained left quadriceps, but Ron Washington said Bradley could be in the lineup tonight as the designated hitter. Bradley could play in right field for at least two games at Washington.

Joaquin Benoit wasn’t available Tuesday as expected, but he threw 35 pitches during a bullpen session and reported no ill effects. He could be ready to pitch during the homestand.

Boston Red Sox starter Bartolo Colon tosses the ball to himself during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park in Boston Wednesday, June 11, 2008. Colon got the 150th victory of his career with six strong innings, allowing one run and five hits. The Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-3. " align="left" border="0">

The Boston Red Sox got five runs in the first inning, another strong outing from the rejuvenated Bartolo Colon and one more win in friendly Fenway Park. They even got a three-run homer from an ailing Jason Varitek. Boston beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 on Wednesday night, the 150th victory of Colon's career and another sign of how big a bargain the 2005 Cy Young winner has been.

Tampa Bay declined outfielder Rocco Baldelli's $6 million option for 2009 and bought out the final three years of his contract for $4 million. Baldelli, 26, has been sidelined since last May because of lingering hamstring problems and what doctors have told him and the Rays is mitochondrial disorder, a condition that causes extreme fatigue.

Rays lock up two others:Tampa Bay picked up outfielder Carl Crawford's $8.25 million option for 2009 and agreed to a $10.5 million, three-year deal with reliever Dan Wheeler. Wheeler will earn $2.8 million this season, $3.2 million in 2009 and $3.5 million in 2010. The 2011 option is for $4 million with a $1 million buyout.

Beckett getting closer:Josh Beckett completed what should be his final step toward returning to the Boston Red Sox rotation. Slowed by back spasms this spring, Beckett pitched five innings in an intrasquad game in Fort Myers, Fla., and manager Terry Francona hopes to start his ace right-hander Sunday at Toronto.

An obstructed view?Nothing obstructed the view of Wrigley Field on Monday from a pair of rooftop clubs whose owner has refused to share 17 percent of his profits with the team. But if Tom Gramatis hasn't paid up by the time the Cubs return home April 15, team officials said obstructions will be installed.

Colon set to start:Former AL Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon will start Pawtucket's season opener Thursday as he tries to make it up the Red Sox.

Indians catcher day to day:All-Star Victor Martinez strained his left hamstring while running the bases in the second inning Monday but the Indians were vague about his injury on Tuesday, saying only that their best hitter was day to day with a mild strain.

Pettitte welcomed back:Andy Pettitte received a mostly warm welcome when he was introduced at the New York Yankees'opener after a tumultuous off-season in which he admitted to using human growth hormone and accused Roger Clemens of using HGH. Pettitte got mostly cheers when he came out of the dugout for his introduction but there was an undercurrent of boos.

Phillies sign reliever:Right-hander Rudy Seanez agreed to a contract with Philadelphia and will be in uniform for tonight's game against Washington.

Former Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzalez missed his seventh straight spring training game Monday and is losing ground in his effort to win a spot on the St. Louis Cardinals.

Gonzalez underwent an MRI exam Friday for an abdominal injury and was waiting for it to be read by a specialist.

The 38-year-old one-time slugger, attempting a comeback after getting only one at-bat the previous three seasons, said he was told by team doctors that the injury is not serious.

The two-time AL MVP is battling Brian Barton for the fifth outfielder job with the Cardinals. Barton was batting .349 with two homers, three triples and eight RBI.

Briefly

Yankees:Andy Pettitte gave the New York Yankees exactly what they wanted: a pain-free start. Pettitte allowed three runs and three hits over 3 1/3 innings in the Yankees'8-4 win over the Boston Red Sox. The left-hander was scratched from his previous start Wednesday due to minor muscle irritation on the outside of his throwing elbow."My arm felt good,"Pettitte said after his 65-pitch outing."Felt real good in the first. Got a little tired in the last inning."Kevin Youkilis hit a solo homer off Pettitte in the fourth.

Red Sox:Boston manager Terry Francona announced earlier Monday that Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will pitch the regular-season opener March 25 against Oakland in Tokyo. ... Bartolo Colon, making his second spring start, didn't make it out of the first against the Yankees. The right-hander gave up three hits and four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Mets:Left-hander Jason Vargas was expected to have surgery on a torn labrum in his left hip.

Reds:Rookie Johnny Cueto took another step toward earning a spot in Cincinnati's starting rotation. Cueto bounced back from a tough first inning and pitched four solid innings in the Reds'5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Athletics:Non-roster first baseman Mike Sweeney will be making the trip to Japan with Oakland this week. The A's can take 30 players to Japan because of the exhibition games, but must set their 25-man roster before the season opener next Tuesday.

Pirates:Manager John Russell said right-hander Ian Snell will start the opener in Atlanta on March 31. Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny will start the home opener April 7 against the Chicago Cubs.

Randy Johnson will make his first spring training start today.

The Arizona Diamondbacks'left-hander is expected to pitch two innings against Colorado, another sign of progress as he returns from back surgery.

"Everything's gone on schedule,"Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said Sunday."This is right around the first date that we thought that he would potentially take the mound in a game."

Johnson, 44, went 4-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 10 starts for Arizona last season, the last on June 28, before undergoing his second back operation in less than a year. He enters the season with 284 career wins.

Dempster starting?

Ryan Dempster looks just about ready for the Chicago Cubs'rotation -- if that's where they want to put him.

The right-hander pitched four innings of one-hit ball in Chicago's 13-1 victory against Kansas City on Sunday.

Dempster spent nearly all of the past four seasons in the bullpen and saved 85 games for the Cubs from 2005-07. Now, he is hoping to become a starter again and fill one of two vacancies in their rotation.

"There's a lot of talk about it, but I don't concern myself with it,"Dempster said.

Briefly

Mets:Manager Willie Randolph said first baseman Carlos Delgado (right hip) and center fielder Carlos Beltran (off-season surgery on both knees) could be in today's lineup. If Beltran plays, it would be as the DH.

Yankees:Hideki Matsui went 0-for-3 as the designated hitter in New York's 6-4 win over Minnesota as he made his first appearance of spring training since surgery on his right knee last November.

Dodgers:Third baseman Andy LaRoche will have surgery today for a torn ligament in his right thumb.

Royals:Outfielder Jose Guillen made his first appearance this spring and went 0-for-3.

Athletics:Manager Bob Geren still hasn't decided if he will take third baseman Eric Chavez to Japan for Oakland's season-opening, two-game series against Boston. Chavez hasn't played in a game this spring and was only recently cleared to resume scaled-down workouts.

Red Sox:Bartolo Colon, signed to a minor league contract, showed excellent control during his first batting practice session of spring training and is scheduled to pitch in a game Thursday.

Tigers:DH Gary Sheffield missed his third straight game with leg cramps, but is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday against Cincinnati.

Angels pitcher Bartolo Colon reacts after giving up two runs to the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 30, 2007, in Baltimore. " align="left" border="0">

The rookie did his part, holding the Los Angeles Angels in check during his longest outing as a big leaguer. Then the veteran finished the job, earning a save that trumpeted his successful return from a two-year hiatus. Brian Burres and Paul Shuey, two pitchers on the opposite end of their baseball careers, helped provide the Baltimore Orioles with a 6-3 victory Saturday night.

Angels pitcher Bartolo Colon awaits another batter in the second inning of the Angels' 7-3 win in a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, May 17, 2007, in Seattle. " align="left" border="0">

No pitch is safe when Vladimir Guerrero is at the plate. The Los Angeles Angels slugger turned quickly on a fastball from former teammate Jarrod Washburn that was far inside and yanked it for his first home run in 12 games. Guerrero's two-run shot left his teammates and the Seattle Mariners in awe and helped keep Bartolo Colon undefeated in Los Angeles' 7-3 victory Thursday night.

Angels designated hitter Shea Hillenbrand breaks a bat while hitting a single against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, April 26, 2007. " align="left" border="0">

Bartolo Colon received plenty of run support from his teammates, who made life very enjoyable for the Los Angeles Angels' starting pitchers on this homestand. Colon struck out 11 and Vladimir Guerrero homered during a five-run first inning, leading the Angels to an 11-3 rout of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Thursday.

Angels pitcher Bartolo Colon tosses the ball around before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, April 21, 2007. Colon allowed one run in seven innings in his first big league outing in almost nine months, leading the Angels to a 7-6 victory. " align="left" border="0">

Bartolo Colon had more confidence that he would make it back into the Los Angeles Angels' rotation in the first month of the season than perhaps the rest of the organization. Colon allowed one run through seven innings in his first big league outing in almost nine months, leading the Angels to a 7-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.