Jarrod Saltalamachhia (shoulder) is now playing long-toss from 200 feet.
Salty underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in September and is on a good pace for the start of the 2010 season. "I'm catching bullpens, hitting and feeling good," he said Thursday. "I'm happy where I am at right now. I'm hoping to be 100 percent and hit the ground running in Spring Training." If he's not ready, Taylor Teagarden will see the bulk of time behind the plate during spring camp and at the start of the regular season.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com hears that a "number of National League teams" are monitoring free agent right-hander Kris Benson.
The Diamondbacks, Cubs, Reds and Nationals are among the interested clubs. Benson, 35, has made only eight major league appearances since 2006 and remains a major injury risk. He had an 8.46 ERA, a 2.01 WHIP and an 11/12 K/BB ratio in 22 1/3 innings for the Rangers last year.
According to FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi, a "handful of teams" are interested in free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit.
Benoit had a 2.85 ERA and an 87/28 K/BB ratio back in 2007 as the workhorse of the Rangers' bullpen, but he fell flat in '08 and missed all of the 2009 season due to rotator cuff surgery. He's unlikely to land anything more than a minor league contract and a spring training invite.
The Rangers and RHP Scott Feldman avoided arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2,425,000 contract.
It's just south of the midpoint submitted by the two sides last week. Feldman, who turns 27 next month, was a pleasant surprise with the Rangers last season, finishing 17-8 with a 4.08 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. While he did pretty well for himself as a first year arbitration-eligible player, the wins are misleading and fantasy owners would be silly to expect a repeat.
ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Marlins have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with reliever Derrick Turnbow.
The deal also includes an invitation to spring training, where Turnbow will try to win himself a spot in Florida's bullpen. It's probably a longshot. The 32-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2008 and posted a 15.63 ERA in eight appearances that season.
Rangers signed C Toby Hall to a minor league contract.
Hall missed all of 2009 after undergoing shoulder surgery last February. He hit .260/.304/.331 with four doubles and three RBI in 120 plate appearances back in 2008 with the White Sox. The 34-year-old may be able to sneak in some major league playing time if Jarrod Saltalamacchia (shoulder surgery) isn't ready to go by the season opener.
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports that the Dodgers are one of the finalists for free agent reliever Derrick Turnbow.
What do they win? A pitcher who hasn't appeared in the majors since 2008, when he posted an obscene 15.63 ERA in eight appearances. The 31-year-old Turnbow asked for and was granted his release by the Rangers last May after putting up an 8.53 ERA and 9/1 K/BB ratio in 6 1/3 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma. It's incredible that so many teams are interested in a pitcher who never had any command to begin with.
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