Arlington, TX (Sports Network) – The Texas Rangers finalized their roster for the start of the 2011 season and, as expected, pitcher Tommy Hunter will open the year on the 15-day disabled list.
Hunter suffered a groin injury late in spring training and is expected to be sidelined for about six weeks. The DL move is retroactive to March 25, leaving him eligible to return April 9.
The right-hander was 13-4 with a 3.73 earned run average last year for the American League champions.
Dave Bush will start the season as a member of the Texas pitching staff. The veteran right-hander entered camp on a minor league contract after spending the past five seasons with Milwaukee.
The Rangers also placed pitchers Omar Beltre, Scott Feldman and Brandon Webb on the 15-day disabled list to start the year. Beltre is recovering from spine surgery, while Feldman is trying to come back from a right knee procedure.
Webb, who also signed a minor league deal this offseason, is trying to rebound from rotator cuff surgery. He missed the entire 2010 campaign after undergoing the procedure in August of 2009.
The right-hander won the NL Cy Young Award in 2006 and was 22-7 in 2008 for Arizona before injuring his shoulder early the following season.
In other roster moves, the Rangers optioned infielder Chris Davis, outfielder Craig Gentry and catcher Taylor Teagarden to Triple-A Round Rock and assigned pitcher Brett Tomko to Round Rock.
Make sure to check out www.aasiwins.com for all your MLB sports betting FREE WINNERS and news.