First of all, the Rangers aren’t convinced that Lowell is healthy. While the hip that he had surgery on last season doesn’t seem to be an issue, his thumb is another matter. Lowell hurt his thumb near the end of last season and The Boston Globe is saying that the Rangers have reservations about the thumb.

Another issue may involved Bud Selig. Since the Red Sox are reportedly giving the Rangers nearly $10 million to complete the trade, the commissioner needs to okay the deal. While it may just be a formality, there’s no indication that Selig has given his stamp of approval.

If the trade gets reversed, look for the Red Sox to try to trade him elsewhere. Lowell doesn’t fit in their 2010 plans and they are obviously willing to do what it takes to send him to another team.

Will Mike Lowell be running back to Boston? (Image: Zuma Press)

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Will the Mike Lowell Trade Get Reversed?

Sgt. Roger Griggs of the Denton Country Sheriff’s office: “She said he was complaining of being depressed and contemplating suicide.”

Wetteland might be best known for his stint with the New York Yankees. In fact, Wetteland was named the MVP of the 2006 World Series. Few remember that it was Wetteland and not Mariano Rivera who closed games for the Yankees that season.

Other than the Yankees, Wetteland also pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Montreal Expos and the Texas Rangers. In his career, he posted an ERA of 2.93 to go along with 330 saves.

UPDATE: John Wetteland released a statement saying that his hospitalization was due to a medical reason and not related to him contemplating suicide.

Said Wetteland: “Thank you for your concerns. My wife and I are very appreciative of the over and above care of our local officers and paramedics. The circumstances leading to my elevated blood pressure and heart rate have been addressed. I am currently resting safely at home.”

John Wetteland Allegedly Contemplated Suicide (Image: Zuma Press)

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John Wetteland Contemplated Suicide

Usually hitting isn’t a problem for the Rangers. Pitching, according to the team’s history, is usually the problem. But this year, the pitching was better than expected but the hitting let the team down. In fact, the Rangers scored less than they did in any of the last 15 seasons. They also posted a low batting average and on-base percentage.

Who will be the next hitting coach of the Texas Rangers? The team has narrowed their list of prospective hires down to four names — Rusty Greer, Clint Hurdle, Thad Bosley and Gerald Perry.

Greer, the fan favorite, hit better than .300 for his career. Hurdle had very good success as a hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies. Bosley was last with the Oakland A’s, while Perry coached with the Chicago Cubs last season.

Josh Hamilton and the Rangers are looking for a hitting coach (Image: Zuma Press)

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Rangers to Select a Hitting Coach Soon

This victory, which improved the Angels record to 92-64, didn’t require much effort. Los Angeles was up 3-0 after one inning and 8-0 after four innings. Eventually, the Angels claimed an 11-0 win over the Rangers.

Ervin Santana, who struggled for most of the season, was very good on Monday as he pitched a 7-hit shutout while only walking one batter. The outing improved his record to 8-8 and lowered his ERA to 5.10.

The offensive production came largely from Vladimir Guerrero and Kendry Morales. Guerreero was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Morales hit a two-run homer in the first inning to get the Angels off on the right foot.

As for the Rangers, while they are still technically alive, there season is realistically over. Although they put up a good fight, they have too many injured players and too many slumping bats to make a legit run at the AL Wild Card race at this point.

Los Angeles Angels Celebrate Clinching Division (Image: Zuma PresS)

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Los Angeles Angels Clinch AL West

Young was injured on September 1st and since then has only one at-bat. In that lone at-bat, which took place on September 15th against the Oakland Athletics, Young once again felt pain after getting off balance.

A couple of weeks ago, the Rangers appeared to be in a good position in the AL Wild Card race. But after injuries to Young and Josh Hamilton, Texas is now a long-shot to see the 2009 baseball players.

Prior to getting hurt, Young was having one of the best seasons of his career. On the year, he’s hitting .322 with 22 homers, 67 RBIs and 76 runs.

As it stands, the Rangers trail the Boston Red Sox by 6.5 games in the AL Wild Card race. Getting Young back in a day or two would give Texas an outside chance to making the playoffs — but both scenarios seem unlikely at this point.

Michael Young - Texas Rangers (Image: Zuma Press)

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Michael Young Injury Update

The Rangers as a whole seem to be headed toward a disappointing finish. At 80-65, Texas is 6.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card race. On Wednesday, the Rangers got shut out by the Oakland Athletics and lost their fourth straight contest.

Even if the Rangers surprisingly get help from Hamilton before the end of the season, he hasn’t been the force he was last season. On the year, he’s hitting .270 with ten homers, 49 RBIs and 43 runs. Last season, he hit .304 with 32 homers, 130 RBIs and 98 runs.

On Friday, the Rangers start a do or die series against the Los Angeles Angels. If they continue their losing ways, their postseason hopes will be history.

Josh Hamilton - Texas Rangers (Image: Zuma Press)

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Josh Hamilton Slowed by Glute Injury

Rodriguez, who had been starting for the Houston Astros, was acquired in a trade that for Matt Nevarez, a minor league pitching prospect. With the Astros, Rodriguez was hitting .251 with eight homers, 34 RBIs and 41 runs.

The Rangers became interested in Rodriguez after losing starting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to injury. For the time being, Rodriguez will be the backup for Taylor Teagarden.

Rodriguez played for the Rangers from 1991 to 2002. During that time, he blossomed from a young prospect to a legit superstar. In fact, Rodriguez is not only a Hall of Famer, he is regarded by many scouts as one of the best catchers in the history of the game.

Pudge Rodriguez is back with the Texas Rangers (Image: Zuma Press)

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Pudge Rodriguez Back with the Rangers

The rookie outfielder for the Rangers has in the leadoff spot and had a monster outing. He finished the game 4-for-5 with two runs, two RBIs and four steals. The outburst raised his batting average on the season from .231 to .389.

Borbon wasn’t the lone Ranger racking up the steals. Elvis Andrus had three steals and Ian Kinsler added a steal. The eight total steals tied a high for the 2009 baseball season by any team.

On the pitching mound, starter Derek Holland was very good for the Rangers. In 6.2 innings, he gave up only two earned runs. Rookie fireballer Neftali Feliz pitched the final two innings to pick up the first save of his career.

With the win, the Rangers move within half a game of the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card standings. The two teams play again on Sunday. On the line? The lead in the Wild card race.

Julio Borbon - Texas Rangers (Image: Zuma Press)

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Julio Borbon Speeds Rangers Past Red Sox

Said Hamilton: “I’m embarrassed about it. For the Rangers, I’m embarrassed about it. For my wife, my kids. It’s one of those things that just reinforces about alcohol.”

In the pictures, Hamilton is seen with a number of women — all of whom aren’t his wife. There is also whip cream utilization.

On the season, Hamilton’s production is way down. After hitting .304 with 32 homers and 130 RBIs last season, Hamilton is hitting just .235 with eight homers and 33 RBIs this season. He’s also struggled with a number of injuries.

The Josh Hamilton pictures likely won’t cause him to get suspended by the Rangers or Major League Baseball. The Rangers say they support Hamilton and that they were informed of the relapse when it occurred.

Josh Hamilton Relapse (Image: Zuma Press)

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Josh Hamilton Admits Alcohol Relapse

This time, Francisco is on the disabled list due to a case of pneumonia. Although the case is thought to be mild, it has kept him out of action since July 10th. He’ll be eligible to come off the DL on the 26th.

Previously, Francisco was on the disabled list due to biceps tendinitis and shoulder tendinitis. Both injuries were on the right-hander’s pitching arm.

When he’s healthy, Francisco has been very good this season for the Rangers. He has an ERA of 2.28 to go along with 15 saves in 17 opportunities. His record on the season is 2-1.

2009, outside of the injuries, has been a career year for Francisco. He already has a career-high in saves and a career-low in ERA.

Frank Francisco - Texas Rangers (Image: Zuma Press)

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Frank Francisco Headed to the DL Again