ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are in the process of trying to figure out what to do with six healthy starting pitchers. That's what they are looking at when Doug Fister comes off the disabled list and starts Wednesday against the Athletics.
The Rangers will be trying to fit Fister into a rotation that already includes Cole Hamels, Martin Perez, Matt Moore, Mike Minor and Bartolo Colon.
"It's a lot better than only having four," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "It gives us some maneuverability. We like the fact we're getting Doug back and we like where Perez is trending. Those are positive questions."
Colon came out of the bullpen when Fister went on the disabled list and has recently given the Rangers two strong starts. Colon is going to get at least one more start before the Rangers decide on who, if anyone, comes out of the rotation.
Along with Hamels starting Tuesday and Fister on Wednesday, the Rangers are planning on Minor pitching Friday against the Blue Jays followed by Colon on Saturday and Perez on Sunday. Hamels is scheduled to open the three-game series against the Indians on Monday, and it gets murky after that.
The Rangers could go with a six-man rotation, but that does not appear to be a likely option.
"We've got some options, and we have some decisions to make," Banister said.
Odor takes grounders
Second baseman Rougned Odor, on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, took ground balls for the first time on Monday. He is also swinging off a tee but has not yet taken batting practice.
Odor injured the leg in a game on April 9, and the original prognosis was that he would be sidelined for a minimum of three weeks. It does not appear he is going to beat that projection because he has not yet started running.
"Every day I am feeling better and better," Odor said.
The Rangers will continue to use rookie Isiah Kiner-Falefa in his place. Kiner-Falefa entered Monday's game slashing .289./325/.395.
"I feel happy for him," Odor said. "He has been doing a really good job. He is a great guy, a great person and a great teammate. I played with him in Spring Training and talked to him a lot. I give him tips. He asks me and I tell him so he can be better. Now I am the one explaining everything to guys. A few years ago I was asking everybody. That feels good."
Martin returns to Arlington High
Reliever Chris Martin returned to Arlington High School on Monday to visit some old friends, including head baseball coach David Nix. Martin pitched at Arlington High in 2002-04 and is the first from that school to play for the Rangers.
"Walking around brought back some old memories," Martin said. "Playing there, a lot of good guys who I am still good friends today. I enjoyed it. That's where a big part of my baseball career started. A big part of who I am today. Really enjoyed my high school experience."
Nix gave Martin a tour of the updated facilities and much has changed in 14 years. All that needs to be known about the Arlington High athletic facilities is the Rangers use them for their offseason workouts.
"Oh my, it's way better," Martin said. "We used to have a little fieldhouse and a little weight room, not that I did much in there. Now it's huge. It's changed a lot. It's a college facility. A lot different than when I was there."
Rangers beat
• Timothy Lincecum and Tony Barnette, both on the disabled list, are scheduled to throw live batting practice on Tuesday.
• Right-handed reliever Ricardo Rodriguez, who is on the disabled list with right biceps tendinitis, threw one inning in an extended spring training game on Monday.
• The Rangers are 5-1 when backup catcher Juan Centeno starts after Sunday's 7-4 victory over the Mariners.
• The Rangers are observing a moment of silence before Monday's game for Davey Nelson, who passed away. Nelson was an All-Star infielder in 1973 for the Rangers.