Rangers send Baker and Lewis to Frisco on rehab

FRISCO, TEXAS (JULY 14, 2013) - With Craig Gentry already rehabbing with the RoughRiders beginning on Sunday, the Rangers will send Jeff Baker and Colby Lewis on rehab assignments to Frisco this home stand as well. Baker is recovering from a sprained right thumb and will begin his assignment on Monday. Lewis, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow and has battled triceps tendinitis and muscular soreness in his elbow since, will start for the RoughRiders on Wednesday Night at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

The RoughRiders are beginning a four-game home stand against the San Antonio Missions on Sunday. Sunday's game begins at 6:05 p.m., and the three other games on the home stand begin at 7:05 p.m. Tickets remain available for all of the games and may be purchased at the Dr Pepper Ballpark box office, at www.RidersBaseball.com or by calling (972) 731-9200.

Baker, 32, was placed on the disabled list on June 18, retroactive to June 13, after spraining his right thumb. His last game was a start against the Indians on June 12, so he was eligible to return on June 28. This will be his first rehab appearance. The veteran utility man is having a solid season for the Rangers off the bench hitting .317 with nine home runs and 16 RBI in 37 games (23 starts). In his first year with the club, he is leading the team in batting against left-handed pitching (.386) and home runs against lefties (8). The German-born Baker played previously with the Rockies, Cubs, Tigers and Braves.

Lewis, 33, suffered the tear in his elbow last July and attempted to pitch through the injury in his final outing of the year on July 18 against the Oakland Athletics. The right-hander was 6-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 16 starts for Texas before going on the disabled list. Lewis has made three rehab appearances, two for Round Rock and one for Frisco and has been shut down on two different occasions. Lewis is 0-1, with a 9.00 ERA in two starts at Round Rock and, in his only outing for the 'Riders he allowed two earned runs on four hits in 2.1 innings against the Missions on May 20. In eight big league seasons, the Bakersfield, California product sports a 44-44 record and a 4.76 ERA. 

The 'Riders return home on Sunday, July 13 at 6:05 p.m. to host the San Antonio Missions for the first of four games at Dr Pepper Ballpark. For information on tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2013, please call (972) 731-9200, email [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.