Murphy feels no ill effects from outing on mound

BOSTON -- Outfielder David Murphy said his left arm was fine on Wednesday, one day after throwing 20 pitches in relief for the Rangers during a 17-5 loss to the Red Sox. It was the first time Murphy pitched since high school.

"My arm is good. ... It's pretty normal," Murphy said. "It's a little sore, but it's no different than what I deal with at certain points during the season."

Tuesday marked the sixth time in club history the Rangers have used a position player in a game as a pitcher. Jeff Kunkel did it twice in 1988-89, Jose Canseco pitched an inning in 1993, Scott Sheldon struck out one batter as a pitcher in 2000, and Craig Gentry allowed two runs in one inning on June 4, 2012.

This is the second time that manager Ron Washington has passed over Mitch Moreland. The Rangers first baseman pitched at Mississippi State, and the club once sent him to Instructional League with the idea of turning him to a pitcher. But Washington is concerned Moreland will try to regain former glory and hurt himself by over-throwing on the mound.