Scott Boras has helped Alex Rodriguez make a boatload of dough in his career. The pair have been together since…

For the first time since he broke in in 2005, Jeff Francoeur is not a full-time player. And he’s quite all right with that.

Funny how things can change when you get traded into the middle of a playoff race.

“One day, you’re 11 games, 12 games out, and the next day you’re in first,” Francoeur said after joining the Rangers following a trade from the wallowing Mets. “I’m willing to do what they need me to do, whether it’s come off the bench, face lefties, play defense, whatever. I’m just looking forward to this opportunity.”

Rangers manager Ron Washington expects to give Francoeur a look against left-handed pitching. Francoeur is likely to get most of the starts in left field when the Rangers face a left-hander, taking playing time away from David Murphy and Julio…

David Murphy had three hits and Nelson Cruz drove in two runs, yet their late-inning catches in the outfield drew the most praise in the Texas clubhouse. "The defense was outstanding," Rangers manager Ron Washington said after a 4-3 win over Kansas City on Wednesday night. "Murphy and Cruzie just saved the game for us." Rookie Mitch Moreland homered again as the Rangers…

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Texas Rangers lefthander Cliff Lee already was scheduled to have an extra day off before his next scheduled start. Good for him. He needs the rest. Since making his first start April 30, Lee has been busier than the Boston Red Sox's team trainer. He has worked more innings (184 1/3) and completed more games (seven) than any pitcher in the majors over the past four months. Only Seattle's Felix Hernandez has thrown more pitches.

Jeff Francoeur joins the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in time for a night game against the Kansas City Royals, although he was not in the starting lineup. The Rangers acquired Francoeur in a trade Tuesday night with the New York Mets. While the Rangers are in first place with an 8 1/2 -game lead over Oakland in the American League West, the Mets were in fourth place and 12 games out in the National…

Rangers left-hander Cliff Lee returned to Texas on Wednesday to get a shot and have his ailing back checked out. Lee was scheduled to rejoin the AL West leaders on Friday. Lee is 0-3 with an 8.28 ERA in his last five starts. He gave up six runs and 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings Tuesday night at Kansas City.

Josh Hamilton was held out of the Texas Rangers lineup Wednesday after receiving a shot the previous night for his sore right knee. Hamilton, who leads the majors with a .361 batting average, was the designated hitter the previous two games at Kansas City. He hit .435 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in his past 12 games and said he planned to play the outfield Friday.

Josh Hamilton was held out of the Texas Rangers lineup Wednesday after receiving a shot the previous night for his sore right knee.

CLEVELAND – For the second straight game, Manny Ramirez watched as one of his new teammates hit a game-winning homer.

With a majors-best .361 batting average, about the only person who seems capable of stopping Josh Hamilton this season is Josh Hamilton. He hasn't been stopped yet but he is being slowed by a cranky right knee. Hamilton was scheduled to receive an injection of lubricant — Synvisc, to be medically precise — in his right knee after Tuesday's game at Kansas City. Manager Ron Washington said he plans to sit Hamilton on Wednesday and return him to the lineup Friday at Minnesota after the Rangers' off day on Thursday.