The Texas Rangers placed one of their relief pitchers on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday.  Due to a strained rib cage, specifically the RHP’s right latissimus dorsi muscle, Frank Francisco was placed on the DL after undergoing an MRI exam, which determined that there was indeed inflammation in the area.  For now, there is no specific timetable of when the RHP may return to the Rangers lineup.

The 30-year-old relief pitcher first aggarvated the area Friday in the Rangers 7-3 victory against the Oakland Athletics.  He was only able to pitch to two batters before needing to leave the mound due to the discomfort that he was feeling.

Francisco has been doing great the past several weeks and since the All-Star break, he has an earned run average of 2.13 in his 13 outings.  However, over the course of the last 10 days, he has not been participating as much.  He is 6-4 with an earned run average of 3.76 overall in his 56 appearances this year.  During that time, he has pitched 52 2/3 innings in which he successfully threw 60 strikeouts.

Francisco will be eligible to come off the 15-day DL on September 12 and Manger Ron Washington is hoping that he feels up to being activated from the disabled list so that he can help the team in the final weeks of the 2010 MLB season.

In order to take Francisco’s spot on the active roster for the Rangers, they recalled LHP Derek Holland from AAA Okalahoma City.  Holland has five starts in his six appearnces with two separate stints with the Texas Rangers this year and is 2-2 with an earned run average of 5.32. He will be in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Oakland Athletics.

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