Starting shortstop Elvis Andrus has been very consistent so far this year for the Rangers. He has played in 23 games so far in May and he is 25 for 90 (.278 avg, .642 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 1 homer, 6 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Andrus has now played in 47 games for the Rangers so far this year and he is 49 for 186 (.263 avg, .645 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 2 homers, 17 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. The Rangers were hoping for Andrus to step up this year but he has pretty much been the same player in 2011 as he has been his whole career in the majors so far. He’s still a very solid all-around shortstop for the Rangers.

Righty closer John Wetteland came to the Rangers as a free agent in 1997 as the Yankees had to clear way for their new closer, Mariano Rivera. Wetteland pitched the last four years of his major league career with the Rangers and he worked in 248 games (0 starts) in which he was 20-12 with 150 saves, a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He made it to 2 All-Star teams with the Rangers. His best work with the team came back in 1998. Wetteland pitched in 63 games (0 starts) for the Rangers in 1998 and he was 3-1 with 42 saves, a 2.03 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. Wetteland retired on top as he was only 33 years old when he called it a career.

The Rangers have activated 30-year old lefty swinging outfielder Josh Hamilton and 30-year old righty swinging outfielder Nelson Cruz off the D.L. Hamilton has played in 11 games for the Rangers so far this year and he is 13 for 39 (.333 avg, .871 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 0 homers, 7 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Nelson Cruz has played in 30 games for the Rangers so far this year and he is 23 for 105 (.219 avg, .741 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 7 homers, 18 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The Rangers’ offense will be at full strength for the first time in quite a while starting tonight. The Rangers have placed 33-year old lefty swinging outfielder Endy Chavez on the 15-day disabled list due to a mild right hamstring strain. Chavez has played in 7 games for the Rangers so far this year and he is 8 for 24 (.333 avg, .866 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 0 homers, 0 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

UPDATE: The Rangers have decided not to put Endy Chavez on the D.L. They have instead sent 1B Chris Davis to the minors.

25-year old lefty starting pitcher Matt Harrison has been on his A-Game so far this year for the Rangers. He has pitched in 9 games (all starts) for the Rangers so far this year and he is 4-4 with a 3.62 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He has given up 44 hits in his first 54 2/3 innings this year which is pretty impressive. Harrison has had control issues however as he has walked 26 batters this year. If Harrison finally learns to trust his stuff (which is pretty impressive), he can really improve as a pitcher and that’s what the Rangers hope happens. Harrison is just making the Rangers’ deal of Mark Teixeira even look better, as they also got starting shortstop Elvis Andrus and closer Neftali Feliz in that deal with the Braves back on July 31st, 2007.

25-year old lefty swinging 1B/OF Mitch Moreland burst onto the scene last year for the Rangers. He played in 47 games for the Rangers last year and he was 37 for 145 (.255 avg, .833 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 9 homers, 25 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Moreland also had a lot of key hits in the post-season for the Rangers last year. He came to spring training without a starting job, but, he was focused and won one at 1B. Moreland has played in 36 games so far this year for the Rangers and he is 33 for 114 (.289 avg, .889 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 5 homers and 12 RBIs. Moreland has also been playing some in the outfield due to the injuries to Nelson Cruz, Julio Borbon and Josh Hamilton. He has become a very important player for the Rangers and I look for that to continue in 2011.