Posted on Fri, May. 09, 2008

Texas Rangers cut Broussard; look for other options

By JEFF WILSON

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

SEATTLE -- Ben Broussard lost is spot in the platoon at first base earlier this week, and now he has lost his spot on the Texas Rangers' roster.

The Opening Day first baseman was designated for assignment Thursday after struggling the past four weeks at the plate and in the field. The Rangers activated infielder Travis Metcalf from the 15-day disabled list to take Broussard's spot on the 25-man roster.

"I think Ben is a better player than he's shown here for us," general manager Jon Daniels said. "He had a rough month at a rough time for the club."

Daniels expects Broussard to land with another organization quickly even though the native Texan is hitting only .159. All three of his home runs and all eight RBI came during the season-opening six-game road trip.

He isn't the only veteran who has been dumped early this season, joining future Hall of Fame slugger Frank Thomas, Brad Wilkerson, Jacque Jones and Jason Michaels.

Broussard was acquired from the Mariners in a December trade just before the non-tender deadline. Manager Ron Washington played a role in getting Broussard, who was expected to be key addition for the Rangers.

"It's been tough," Washington said earlier this week. "He is the guy I wanted."

Metcalf hasn't played a game this season after suffering a torn left hamstring March 7 during a spring game against the Brewers.

Metcalf spent the first five weeks of the season at expended spring training in Surprise, Ariz., but had joined Triple A Oklahoma on Wednesday for a rehab assignment.

He was summoned to Seattle to be available in case the hip flexor injury suffered by shortstop Michael Young would require him to go on the disabled list.

That won't happen, but Metcalf gives the Rangers an extra infielder in case Young has to miss more than just Thursday's game. Metcalf is a candidate to be optioned to Oklahoma if outfielder Marlon Byrd comes off the disabled list next week.

Online: texasrangers.com

SPOTLIGHT BRANDON BOGGS

A fourth-inning triple from Brandon Boggs on Wednesday night drove home Milton Bradley with the game's first run. But it also drove home to manager Ron Washington that Boggs can adjust to big-league pitchers after they have started pitching differently to him.

The outfielder, who has started nine of 10 games since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma, said pitchers have started trying to get him to chase balls off the plate and are pitching backwards to him.

Instead of starting him with a fastball, pitchers are throwing off-speed pitches early in the count and going with fastballs late.

That's what Erik Bedard attempted to do, but Boggs ripped a high fastball into the left-field gap. The hit snapped a 0-for-14 slump, but Boggs is still hitting .313.

"It's always good to hit the ball, no matter how good or how bad the last few games were," he said. "I've been confident ever since I got up here. You just can't lose it. You've got to stay with it."

-- Jeff Wilson