Joely Rodr¨ªguez nearing return to Rangers

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are hoping to have left-handed reliever Joely Rodríguez back in their bullpen during the upcoming road trip.

The Rangers are set to play a three-game series with the Giants beginning on Friday in San Francisco and three more with the A's beginning on Tuesday in Oakland. Manager Chris Woodward said that Rodr¨ªguez has two more live batting-practice sessions, and that he should be ready to go in Oakland.

Rodr¨ªguez, who was sidelined with a strained left lat muscle, threw live batting practice on Tuesday.

¡°He is progressing nicely,¡± Woodward said. ¡°Everything feels great. The life on his pitches are good. Health-wise, he is fine.¡±

The Rangers signed Rodr¨ªguez to a two-year contract this offseason. He and Rafael Montero were supposed to be their top two setup relievers behind closer Jos¨¦ Leclerc. Montero is also on the injured list with a strained right forearm. He has been throwing bullpen sessions, but he has yet to face live hitters.

? Leclerc held back with shoulder tightness

¡°Montero is a little bit behind [Rodr¨ªguez], maybe the next homestand he should be available,¡± Woodward said. ¡°He feels good. In his bullpen [session], the ball was coming out like we expected. Good for both those guys, because we need them.¡±

Santana sits for Bumgarner
Struggling center fielder Danny Santana was out of the lineup with left-hander Madison Bumgarner on the mound on Wednesday for the D-backs. Woodward said it was a combination of wanting Scott Heineman, a right-handed hitter, in the lineup and giving Santana a day off.

Wednesday was the first start for Heineman, who may have had the best Summer Camp of any Rangers hitter. He was 19-for-39 (.487) with six doubles, two triples and two home runs. He went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's 7-4 win.

Entering Wednesday, Santana was 1-for-17 with eight strikeouts in the Rangers' first four games, including 0-for-8 with six strikeouts in the past two.

¡°He's really close,¡± hitting coach Luis Ortiz said. ¡°I think he's a little in-between as far as his timing, and he's working on his posture. He's a big feel guy. So that's probably what has been the issue right now, where he feels a little in-between and he's just one foul ball, one take away to get back on track.¡±

Concern for Calhoun
Outfielder Willie Calhoun, 0-for-10 in his first three games, was also out of the starting lineup on Wednesday with a tough left-hander on the mound, though he pinch-hit and struck out in the eighth inning. Woodward admitted there are some concerns about how Calhoun is responding to getting hit by a pitch in Spring Training.

Calhoun suffered a fractured jaw when he was hit by Dodgers left-hander Julio Ur¨ªas on March 8. Calhoun recovered in time for Summer Camp, but he was 2-for-37 in intrasquad games.

¡°I trust Willie,¡± Woodward said. ¡°He has no fear, but I want to make sure he's OK. It's traumatic to get hit in the face, so I'm obviously keeping that in mind. I want to get him going. I want to make sure he's a big part of our offense, but also don't want to put him in a vulnerable position where it creates an issue."

Rangers beat
? Nick Solak was in the lineup on Wednesday at designated hitter, and he came through with an RBI single in the Rangers' five-run eighth. Texas looked at Solak in center field early in Spring Training, but right now, the club sees Heineman as its best option when Santana is not playing.

? Left-hander Kolby Allard¡¯s first start will be on Sunday against the Giants. He will follow Mike Minor and Jordan Lyles in that series. Allard, who has yet to appear in a game, is replacing Corey Kluber in the rotation.

He said it
¡°I think they are going to try and make it as easy as possible. Opening up the ballroom for us to hang out, play cards, a ping pong table. Video games. But also try to be socially distanced. Wear masks.¡± -- Minor, on being in the same San Francisco hotel for seven days during the Rangers' upcoming road trip