Rangers give Perez nod for Monday's opener

SEATTLE -- Ross Wolf earned his first Major League victory on Wednesday, but it has not guaranteed him another start. The Rangers announced after Friday night's 9-5 win over the Mariners that Martin Perez will start the first game of a doubleheader against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.

Perez missed the first month of the season with a broken left arm but is fully recovered and pitched seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Round Rock against Reno on Tuesday. He allowed three hits and struck out seven.

Wolf would have been on regular rest after Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Athletics. Wolf, called up from Round Rock because Nick Tepesch had to be scratched with of a blister, allowed one run on three hits and two walks over five-plus innings while striking out three. It was his first start in the Major Leagues and his first appearance there since 2010. But the Rangers decided on Perez.

"Whatever they want me to do. ... If I don't start, I won't be disappointed," Wolf said before Friday's game. "Like I said many times before, I never thought I would make it back up here."

Wolf could move to the bullpen, at least for the twin bill. The Rangers are allowed to carry 26 players for the doubleheader but would have to make a roster move after it is over to get down to 25.