Rays/MLB

Rangers send slumping DH to the bench

By TIMES WIRES
Published May 24, 2006

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Rangers pulled their highest-paid player from the starting lineup, calling up Jason Botts from Triple-A Oklahoma on Tuesday and starting him at DH over Phil Nevin.

Texas sent infielder Drew Meyer to Oklahoma.

Nevin, the Rangers' cleanup hitter, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Monday's 3-2 win over the Angels. He entered Tuesday hitting .145 in May with 16 strikeouts in 17 games.

Nevin, who earns more than $10-million, said before the game he did not expect the change.

"But it doesn't matter whether I like it or not or I think that it's right. You have to accept it," he said.

Nevin got off to a good start with seven homers and 23 RBIs in April. Manager Buck Showalter said he still will be in the mix at DH and as a pinch-hitter.

"I want to keep Nevin in the flow as much as I can," Showalter said.

Detroit placed Dmitri Young on the 15-day disabled list and recalled third baseman Jack Hannahan from Triple-A Toledo. Young has an irritation of a strain in his right quadriceps. He is batting .169 in 59 at-bats with four RBIs. Manager Jim Leyland wouldn't speculate how long he would be out.

Chicago recalled veteran right-hander Jeff Nelson from Triple-A Charlotte. Nelson, 39, agreed to a minor-league contract May 2 after being released by St. Louis on March 29.

[Last modified May 24, 2006, 02:45:18]