Rangers put backup C Treanor on DL, recall Teagarden

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers have placed catcher Matt Treanor on the 15-day disabled list with a strained ligament in his right knee.

Texas recalled catcher Taylor Teagarden from Double-A Frisco before Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels to replace Treanor as Bengie Molina's backup.

Treanor was injured in the seventh inning Friday night when he lunged for first base trying to beat out a grounder and tripped on the foot of Angels first baseman Kevin Frandsen.

Treanor fell to the ground in pain, and an MRI on Saturday showed a strain but no torn ligaments.

Rangers manager Ron Washington says there as no timetable for Treanor's return, but surgery is not necessary. Treanor, who said he'll know more about his prognosis in seven to 10 days, was wearing a brace and hobbling on crutches.

Treanor, who was batting .225 with five homers and 23 RBI, was getting about two starts a week to give Molina a break. Washington said he'll continue to use Teagarden in much the same way.

Teagarden was promoted ahead of catchers Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Max Ramirez, both of whom are at Triple-A Oklahoma City and have played for the Rangers this season.

Teagarden was hitting .242 with three homers and 32 RBI for Frisco. He played 10 games for Texas early in the season, going 1 for 27.

Washington said Teagarden got the call ahead of Saltalamacchia and Ramirez because of "defense and throwing ability. I need defense [from his backup catcher]."