ARLINGTON, TEXAS (AP) - Texas Rangers starter Tommy Hunter will miss two to three more weeks after having a setback in his recovery from a right groin strain.
Hunter received an MRI on Tuesday after experiencing discomfort in his groin on the final delivery of a 79-pitch rehab assignment for Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.
The 13-game winner for Texas in 2010 hasn’t pitched in a major league game this season, but his return was proceeding on schedule.
He was set for a second rehab start until the latest setback, saying he felt “a little tug” on the last pitch of Monday’s outing.
“I was very upset yesterday, just the fact that it happened again,” Hunter said. “(But) it might just be scar tissue from what it was earlier, a little tweak. … It’s just a little setback, just my thoughts on it.”
Hunter said he’d like to throw in the outfield over the weekend, although there’s no timetable for that.
The Rangers said Hunter is at least two to three weeks away from getting back on a mound.
Manager Ron Washington said there’s a “black cloud” over the defending AL champs right now, missing injured sluggers Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz in addition to Hunter and six other right-handed pitchers on the disabled list.
Washington shook up his lineup for Tuesday night’s game against Oakland, with Michael Young starting at cleanup for the first time in his 12-year career.
Texas had lost 11 of 15 entering Tuesday night, batting .231 in its previous nine games.
“I thought I’d have some fun with it, have some guys in some new spots and see how smart I am, or not,” Washington said.
Washington also moved regular No. 9 hitter Julio Borbon into the leadoff position, and normal leadoff man Ian Kinsler into the No. 3 hole in the Rangers’ 29th different lineup in 37 games this season.
Young, batting .514 with runners in scoring position prior to Tuesday and the club’s career hits leader, said he was “a little bit” surprised when the lineup was posted.
“But it doesn’t matter to me, it’s not that big a deal,” Young said. “We trust what Wash thinks. We’re professionals, we have pride, everyone wants to be productive.”
Young had only two homers in his first 36 games this season, but Washington is trying to get run production, not the long ball from Young.
“I’m not looking for Michael to be a home run hitter,” Washington said. “I’m looking for Mike to come up with men in scoring position to drive them in.”
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