Rangers Expect Nathan, Adams To Return For Angels Series

The Texas Rangers will have the day off Monday in Anaheim before opening a three-game series with the Angels on Tuesday. By the time the series does kick off, the Rangers fully expect to have the bullpen back at full strength, following a week that saw minor injuries hit both setup man Mike Adams and closer Joe Nathan.

Adams, who is dealing with a sore trapezius muscle on his throwing side, was originally thought to be available for Sunday’s win over the Mariners--Manager Ron Washington said as much before the game--but he was held out after all, a decision that was likely made easier by a masterful, 8 2/3 inning performance from starter Matt Harrison.

“We just decided to give him another day,” Washington said of Adams, per the Dallas Morning News. “That’s it.”

As for Nathan, he has been resting since last Thursday, when he blew his first save since April and wondered aloud whether fatigue didn’t play a role in the blown save. But after a three-day weekend, Nathan is optimistic moving forward, both about himself and his pen-mate Adams.
 
“It was nice to have a series off,” Nathan said. “I think we’ll be nice. We’ll both be ready.”