Laird injured

Texas Rangers catcher Gerald Laird left Friday night’s game against the Washington Nationals with a strained right hamstring.
Laird began to limp as he crossed first base while beating out a bunt single in the fourth inning. He took a few more steps before falling to the ground in pain. He was replaced by pinch runner Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who remained in the game as the catcher.
Earlier Friday, the Rangers placed right-handed pitcher Doug Mathis on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his right shoulder and recalled right-hander Luis Mendoza from Triple-A Oklahoma.
Manager Ron Washington said Mathis (2-1, 6.85 ERA), who was recently moved to the bullpen, felt uncomfortable during throwing sessions Thursday and Friday. The move is retroactive to Monday.
Mendoza started three games earlier this season for the Rangers, going 0-2 with a 9.31 ERA. He was available in the bullpen for the interleague series opener against the Nationals.
“We can’t be short now that we’re playing in the National League,” Washington said.
Meanwhile, right-hander Joaquin Benoit, sidelined because of weakness in his right shoulder, entered the game in the 13th inning, his first appearance since June 7.
Top hitter Milton Bradley remained out of the starting lineup for the third straight game due to a strained left quadriceps. Bradley appeared as a pinch hitter in the 10th inning and grounded out to second base.
Also, Hank Blalock is scheduled to begin a three-game rehab assignment with Oklahoma on Saturday. Blalock, who is recovering from wrist surgery while making the transition from third base to first, is expected to join the Rangers on Tuesday for the start of a three-game series at Houston.