Beltre sent back to Texas with left quad injury

BOSTON -- The Rangers are sending third baseman Adrian Beltre back to Texas to see if he needs to go on the disabled list with a strained left quad muscle.

Beltre came out of Tuesday's 10-7 victory over the Red Sox after five innings with what was described as tightness in the muscle. The Rangers want him examined by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas to see the extent of the injury.

"We'll just have to wait and see what Dr. Meister says," manager Ron Washington said. "We'd rather get him there sooner than later."

Beltre had tightness in the quad muscle in Spring Training and missed a week of Cactus League games. This injury is not considered to be in the same area as the problem Beltre experienced in Spring Training.

Beltre started the game at designated hitter because Washington wanted him to have a night off from playing the field to rest his legs. But Washington said there was no indication Beltre was having any problems. He was 2-for-3 at the plate before leaving the game with the Rangers leading 9-1.

"I didn't see why I should leave him in there," Washington said. "It's about doing the right thing."

Josh Wilson started at third base on Tuesday night. The Rangers will play short-handed on Wednesday and then are off on Thursday. If Beltre needs to go on the disabled list, the Rangers can call up Kevin Kouzmanoff from Triple-A Round Rock.

Beltre and Mike Schmidt are tied for fifth all-time with 2,212 games played at third base. The all-time leader is Brooks Robinson with 2,870 games played, followed by Graig Nettles with 2,412, Gary Gaetti with 2,282 and Wade Boggs with 2,215. Beltre should pass Boggs -- like Schmidt, another Hall of Famer -- on the upcoming homestand.

"It's humbling, you obviously know who those guys are and what they have accomplished," Beltre said. "To have something to do with those guys is great. It means I have been playing a long time.