There are plenty of star first basemen in the AL, but the TexasRangers have gotten next to nothing out of a position generallyconsidered to be one of baseball's most productive. 

MEDICAL WATCH: --RHP Joel Pineiro (left oblique strain) was scratched from his July 28 start during warmups and was placed on the disabled list. 

--RHP Jason Bulger (strained shoulder) threw off a mound earlier this week and will try to repeat that bullpen session before Friday's game. 

With the non-waiver trade deadline approaching Saturday, observers and analysts like to divide teams into one of two categories -- buyers or sellers. 

The July 31 trading deadline has outlived its usefulness. 

Marco Scutaro had three hits, and Jed Lowrie and DarnellMcDonald added a pair last night as the Boston Red Soxtopped the Los Angeles Angels,4-2, securing the victory for John Lackey in his return to AngelStadium. 

MEDICAL WATCH: --RHP Joel Pineiro (left oblique strain) was scratched from his July 28 start during warmups and was placed on the disabled list. 

--RHP Joel Pineiro was scratched from his scheduled start after straining an oblique muscle in his left side during his pregame warmup session in the bullpen. 

For two weeks, center fielder Torii Hunter has been playing like a man who needed a break. 

When Marco Scutaro saw a changeup coming from one of thehardest-throwing relievers in baseball, Boston's scrappy shortstopknew exactly what to do with that stroke of good luck. 

 

Newly acquired Angels pitcher Dan Haren expects to make his nextstart as scheduled despite a bruised forearm. 

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Joel Pineiro will miss six toeight weeks after straining a muscle in his left side while warmingup for a start against the Boston Red Sox. 

John Lackey expected a little appreciation of his eight yearswith the Los Angeles Angels. 

MEDICAL WATCH: --RHP Dan Haren (right forearm bruise) was hit by a line drive during the fifth inning of his Angels debut July 26.