Saunders building up pitch count

ARLINGTON -- Pitcher Joe Saunders, who is on the 15-day disabled list with an injured left ankle, is recovering well and should be ready to pitch soon.

Saunders made his second rehab start Tuesday night with Round Rock -- his fourth overall -- and threw for seven innings with eight hits and a strikeout.

"I felt strong, felt like I could've gone back out there for more." Saunders said. "I think I threw seven innings, I'm not sure how many pitches. I felt strong though, I felt good."

Rangers manager Ron Washington said Saunders is scheduled to make one more start according to his program, but that it's possible that he might not have to do so.

"We were certainly looking for what he gave us -- those results," Washington said. "Seven innings, 100 pitches -- whatever it was -- we were looking for those type of results and he gave them to us. We really don't have to make a decision on him for another five days. What I'm saying is it won't be that long, we just haven't talked about it since the game ended [Tuesday] night and we got the report."

Saunders said he feels good, regardless.

"It's not up to me," Saunders said. "It's out of my hands, but I feel like I'm in a good spot right now."