Beltre 'really close' to return from disabled list

SEATTLE -- Rangers third baseman Adrián Beltré went through an extensive on-field workout on Tuesday, and manager Jeff Banister said Beltre is "really close" to returning from the disabled list.
"He is doing well," Banister said.
Sidelined with a strained left hamstring, Beltre hit, took ground balls and ran the bases. He wasn't going full speed, but running the bases is usually one of the final steps before returning from the DL.
"I felt all right," Beltre said. "I am progressing."
"The last hurdle is to compete and recover," Banister said. "Obviously, it's great to see him go through everything: batting practice, curveball machine, ground balls, baserunning. He is getting really close."

The Rangers have not set a target date for Beltre's return. The third baseman has been out since May 13, and this is the second time he has been on the disabled list because of the left hamstring, so the Rangers are trying to keep from rushing him back. But his return seems to be a matter of days, not weeks.
"We don't want to do this again," Banister said. "All of us want Adrian on the field as much as possible. The last thing we want is he gets on the field and this happens again. That said, athletes get hurt. Things happen, players play hard. We want to do as much as we can to prevent that from happening."
That includes getting Beltre more time at designated hitter when he returns. That could mean Shin-Soo Choo and Nomar Mazara being used in the same outfield, especially day games after night games.
"We have different options," Banister said.
Moore ready to return
The Rangers are planning to activate pitcher Matt Moore from the disabled list and start him against the Mariners on Wednesday. The club is hoping to see progress.
Moore was 1-5 with a 7.99 ERA in nine starts and one relief appearance before going on the disabled list with a sore right knee.
"Matt has shown in previous games flashes of what we've seen before when he has had success," Banister said. "We'd like for him to go out and extend that, be consistent in the game, give us innings and compete through the length of the game."

Moore is still hitting 90-93 mph on his fastball, mixing in a curveball and changeup. That's the repertoire that's made him successful in the past. He used the down time to work on his delivery, trying to attack straight down the mound, rather than fall off to the third-base side.
"We are results oriented," Moore said. "You can work your process as much as you want, but in the end, if the results are there, then we'll know. In general, it has been nice to throw in non-game situations, feel myself through some at-bats."
Rangers beat
• Retired pitcher Darren Oliver and Arlington mayor Jeff Williams will represent the Rangers on Day 1 of the 2018 MLB Draft on Monday at the MLB Network Studios in Seacaucus, N.J. Oliver currently works for the Rangers as a special assistant.
• Double-A Frisco pitcher Ariel Jurado was named the Texas League Pitcher of the Week after throwing a six-hit shutout against Arkansas last Friday.
• Former Mariners pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith visited the Rangers' clubhouse to see Austin Bibens-Dirkx and Isiah Kiner-Falefa on Tuesday. They are the only three players in Major League history with hyphenated last names.