The Newberg Report: The issue of Hank Blalock returning.

Barnald, points out the latest from Newberg.

What is Blalock’s absence, first due to a torn hamstring and now due to a sudden onset of carpal tunnel syndrome in his right wrist (as he was otherwise poised to return to action), costing Texas? Yes, the club is 20-12 since he last played, but this lineup would look a lot better if Blalock (who was hitting a healthy .299/.365/.460 with the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career when he got hurt) were in it, especially at first base, which is where it had been determined he would play before this latest setback.

For now, the Rangers are obviously surviving Blalock’s absence. But he’s certainly a hitter you’d rather have in the lineup than not.

But the other, less immediate question looms. At what point will he be back to show the Rangers what he can do at first base? Setting aside for the moment the possibility that he could help a much improved team stay in the 2008 race, Texas holds a $6.2 million option (or a $250,000 buyout) on Blalock for 2009. If this move across the diamond is permanent, Blalock will need to show not only a recovered rhythm at the plate but also evidence that he can be an effective defender at first base, for two reasons: (1) I bet management believes this team can contend in 2009, particularly with the way it’s played over the last month; and (2) if Chris Davis is going to be ready in 2009 (if not sooner), does it make sense to spend more than $6 million to delay his arrival?