Rangers' Harden set to return to mound

The Texas Rangers activated Canadian right-hander Rich Harden and catcher Matt Treanor from the 15-day disabled list before Monday night's game against the Minnesota Twins.

Harden started for the American League West-leading Rangers in the opener of a four-game series against AL Central-leading Minnesota.

Catcher Taylor Teagarden was optioned to AAA Oklahoma City and right-hander Scott Feldman went on the 15-day DL for the first time in his career with a bone bruise in his right knee sustained in Saturday's game at Baltimore.

Harden of Victoria was out with right shoulder tendinitis, his second DL stay this season. He struck out 10 in a rehab start for Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Harden had made two starts for Texas since his first DL stint from June 12-July 30 with a left gluteal muscle strain. His last start for the Rangers was Aug. 7 at Oakland, taking the loss while allowing three runs in 2 1/3 innings.

He has a 4-4 record and 5.45 earned-run average in 15 starts this season.

Treanor strained a right knee ligament July 23 against the Los Angeles Angels. He went 3-for-15 in five rehab starts for Oklahoma City.

Catchers split time

Rangers manager Ron Washington had Treanor in Monday night's lineup. Washington breaks the catching into five-game blocks, and he said he'll probably use No. 1 Bengie Molina for three games and Treanor for the other two.

Washington said Teagarden will be back with the Rangers when rosters expand in September.

Also for the Rangers, second baseman Ian Kinsler will have an MRI on his strained left groin on Tuesday to determine the next step in his rehab.

Kinsler said he's anxious to get his minor league assignment under way and get back on the field for a Rangers team that's coming off a 2-5 trip marked by inconsistent hitting.

"There's no point staying around here," he said. "I'm going to try to get back as quick as possible."

Outfielder Nelson Cruz (left hamstring strain), right-hander Dustin Nippert (head contusion) and infielder Cristian Guzman (strained right quad) also are on the DL and headed for minor league rehab stints.

All four could be playing for either Oklahoma City or AA Frisco by the weekend.

"Every team has gone through it," Washington said of the series of injuries to key players. "You've just got to keep fighting and hold it together. One thing that's good is our pitching staff has been doing a good job. We've got to start supporting them with some runs."