ARLINGTON -- Former All-Star Dennis Martinez said what he admires most about Rangers pitcher Bartolo Colon is his perseverance.
"Because I know how hard it is," Martinez said. "The older you get, you start losing the zip on your fastball. Without that zip, you become flat. You have to pretty much be in the right location all the time or you'll get hit. It's not easy for him, but he continues to do that. I hope all other pitchers are paying attention. They can watch how he goes about his business, what he does, why he is what he is now."
Martinez was at Globe Life Park on Saturday night to join the Rangers in honoring Colon before Saturday's game against the Angels. Colon, who is from the Dominican Republic, earned his 246th career victory with an 11-4 victory over the Mariners on Aug. 7. That allowed him to pass Martinez for the most career wins by a pitcher from Latin America. Colon added win No. 247 on Monday vs. the D-backs.

"Thanks to the Texas Rangers organization for allowing me to be here and participate in this moment for Bartolo," Martinez said. "It is a great achievement and it's an honor to be a part of it because this shows me what kind of pitcher he is. He has shown me consistency, endurance and perseverance. He reminds me because that's the way I was myself. That's the only way you can achieve those goals."
Martinez -- known as El Presidente -- had a remarkable 23-year career as the first Major League player from Nicaragua. He pitched from 1976-98 for the Orioles, Expos, Indians, Mariners and Braves, winning 245 games -- including one perfect game -- and was named to four All-Star teams. He broke the record for most wins by a Latin-American pitcher by passing Hall of Famer Juan Marichal of the Dominican Republic.

He held the record for 20 years until Colon surpassed him.
"I did call him to congratulate him, a couple of days after he did it," Martinez said. "The call was real quick because he was really busy. I just said, 'Hey man, I just called to congratulate you. You are the one I'm really happy to get it because you deserve it, you have been working hard to get it, I tip my cap to you."

Beltre back at DH
Adrian Beltre, who is dealing with a strained left hamstring, was back in the lineup Saturday at designated hitter. It's the first time Beltre has been in the lineup since he injured the hamstring Monday.
Manager Jeff Banister said Beltre will be relegated to designated hitter duty for the foreseeable future while he works his way back to being able to play the field. Beltre's return allowed the Rangers to give Shin-Soo Choo a day off with left-hander Andrew Heaney pitching for the Angels, leaving Joey Gallo in left and Nomar Mazara in right.
"We'll see how Adrian comes out of the game today," Banister said. "We'll probably rotate [Beltre and Choo] in the DH spot. Maz is coming off the disabled list [last Thursday) so we need to get him off his legs, and Joey has been going at it hard. We need to give all those guys a day."
Rangers beat
• The Rangers remain on hold with left-hander Mike Minor as far as his next start. He was scratched from Friday's start against the Athletics with back stiffness, but the Rangers are hoping he'll pitch in the three-game series against the Athletics that starts Monday in Oakland.
• Jose Leclerc recorded a save on Friday night by striking out the side without allowing a hit or a walk. That's the 23rd time in club history that a reliever has done that. Francisco Cordero did it four times while Neftali Feliz and Joe Nathan did it three times. Keone Kela did it twice earlier this season.

• Outfielder Delino DeShields, sidelined with a fracture in the tip of his right middle finger, said he plans on being back in September.
"The last month is going to be my month," DeShields said. "That's my mindset."