Rangers keep eye on Danks

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers pitchers John Danks and Edison Volquez have created a buzz in Spring Training by the way they have been pitching.

But the Rangers still don't see them as the serious contenders for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Rangers officials, who met Friday night to discuss the roster, still want Danks and Volquez to get more time in the Minor Leagues.

"Both are going to continue to get innings as a starter," general manager Jon Daniels said Saturday. "But we are very cognizant of where they are in their development. We're looking at their long-term future and we're not going to jeopardize that."

Danks has pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in both intrasquad and exhibition games while allowing just one hit. Volquez has allowed just one run on two hits in five innings.

"Both have been very impressive," Daniels said. "It's a balance between their development and recognizing they've gone out there and performed."

Danks, 20, has yet to pitch above Double-A in his 2 1/2 years in the Minors. Volquez, 22, pitched six games with the Rangers last year but was 0-4 with a 14.21 ERA.

Left-hander C.J. Wilson also appears to be out of the running for a spot as the fifth starter. He has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to make his first appearance of the spring in a "B" game Sunday.

"By the nature of his injury, it's going to be tough to get him stretched out as a starter," Daniels said.

Wilson is still a strong candidate to be one of the left-handed setup relievers in the bullpen.

Rookie right-hander Thomas Diamond is still technically in the running for a fifth starter spot but Daniels admitted that he'll likely need to start out in the Minors as well.

That leaves the fifth spot between Juan Dominguez, Josh Rupe, R.A. Dickey and Rick Bauer. Rupe and Dominguez are scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Seattle Mariners.

Dominguez was in the rotation at the end of last season but is fighting to hold on to that spot. Club officials say his performance this spring has been "mixed" and others have at least caught up to him.

The right-hander was told that in a meeting earlier this week.

"We told him that we support him but it's time to step it up," Daniels said. "We're starting to make decisions. He seemed to embrace that. We'll see how his next outing goes."

Dickey is still trying to master the knuckleball but after holding Team Japan to one run in three innings, the Rangers have seen enough to feel he's a serious candidate for the rotation.

"He was able to command it better than he has and he was able to manage the game better," Daniels said.

Briefly: Catcher Mike Nickeas, infielder Aarom Baldiris and outfielder Ruddy Yan were sent back to the Minor Leagues on Saturday. ... Kevin Millwood is scheduled to pitch in a "B" game on Monday, so Volquez will start the "A" game against the Royals.