Arias gets first start...bats leadoff

Joaquin Arias was in the Rangers lineup on Monday night for the first time since being called up from Triple A Oklahoma City last Tuesday. Omar Vizquel has been starting at second base while Ian Kinsler is sidelined with a strained left hamstring but manager Ron Washington wants to give him a break.

Washington said Arias will start both Monday and Tuesday.

He was also in the leadoff spot. Kinsler has been the Rangers leadoff hitter all year and Washington said there is no temptation right now to put rookie shortstop Elvis Andrus in that spot.

That's been the manager's feeling all season and he is not veering from it even though Andrus was 12-for-33 (.364) with four walks in his last 11 games going into Monday's game.

"I just don't think a 20-year-old in his first year in the big leagues is ready to handle it," Washington said. "He's fine where he is. It's just experience and his time in the game. At some point maybe next year I may think about it but right now I want to keep him in his comfort zone and not take him out of it."

Andrus does have more career plate appearances at the Major League level than Arias. But Washington pointed out that Arias has three more years of professional experience, he's about four years older and he did bat leadoff in 24 games for the Rangers in September last year while Kinsler was out.

Purke update: The Rangers continue to have commiunication with left-handed pitcher Matthew Purke, who they drafted out of Houston Klein High School with their first pick in the First-Year Player Draft. But they are not close to signing him and if they do get something done, it probably won't be until the Aug. 17 deadline.

Purke's represenatives said he is working out this summer at the Tomball Sports Medicine clinic near his home outside Houston and throws once a week in the bullpen to keep his arm in shape. One of his partners is Shelby Miller, the right-hander from Brownwood who was taken by the Cardinals.

Purke could end up at TCU if he doesn't sign with the Rangers.