Thankfully Zach Greinke is not in the A.L. West or the Rangers are not in the A.L. Central

The Rangers started Cactus League play yesterday against the Kansas City Royals. Thanks to an encore by Saltalamacchia and Matt brown each hitting 3-run homers the Rangers pounded the Royals in a 13-3 victory. Rich Harden who joined the Rangers this past off season on a one year contract started and gave up one walk, one hit and one unearned run with a strikeout in two innings. Harden is projected to be the opening day starter once April 5th arrives.

The Rangers then played the Royals again today with a little different outcome. The reigning A.L. Cy Young winner Zach Greinke took the mound to start for the Royals and was almost perfect. He only allowed one hit over the course of three scoreless innings. It only took him 27 pitches with 19 of them being strikes in order to complete his assignment. Sporting news MLB reported that Greinke’s manager Trey Hllman was quoted as saying “He made it look pretty easy for his first outing.” From a Royal’s standpoint they couldn’t expect anything better from a first outing from their ace.

Josh Hamilton has not participated in Cactus League games yet because he is still nursing the sore shoulder. The injury occurred during the first full squad workout when he dove to catch a pop up and landed on the shoulder. He is projected to get some at-bats in the Cactus League starting sometime next week. Hopefully he should be ready by opening day.

There has been little to report on the pending sale of the Rangers other than it is hopefull it will be completed by opening day. Their are high expectations for the Rangers in 2010 with Nolan Ryan Club President and part owner once the sale is completed, predicted that the Rangers will win 92 games this next year. The Rangers made some great moves over the off season to fill the holes on the 25 man roster, so once camp breaks early next month the Rangers should be ready to compete for a playoff spot