Golf Hockey Motor Sports Preps Other Sports Art Thiel Laura Vecsey Rec. Oates and Piniella were in the Yankees organization together as players, along with Rangers general manager Doug Melvin, who was clearly emotional as he announced Oates' departure. Texas owner Tom Hicks has aggressively added players and payroll, most notably former Mariners shortstop Alex Rodriguez, but the Rangers have had a poor start. They lost their past five and 11 of their past 15 games.
People start looking for answers, and invariably something happens.
Catcher Chris Widger participated in batting practice for the first time since undergoing surgery Dec. 4 on his right shoulder. It's frustrating how sore it is. I want it to feel better, and it doesn't feel better. Widger had a setback when he was playing left field in an extended spring training game in Arizona and made a throw to second base he wasn't supposed to make. Widger will remain in Seattle during the team's upcoming road trip to work on strength training.