FanHouse JoaquinArias

Well that stand didn't last very long now, did it?

After telling the Texas Rangers that he didn't want to move to third base to make room for Elvis Andrus at shortstop, and then demanding a trade because he was so adamant about not playing third base, I'll bet you'll never guess what Michael Young told the Rangers he'd do Thursday.

That's right, Mr. Young has now completely changed his tune and, not only does he want to stay in Arlington, but he's willing to move to third base as well.

While Josh Hamilton gets most of the publicity when it comes to the Texas Rangers, that doesn't mean he's the only player on the team having an MVP-caliber season. Let's not forget about the team's second baseman, Ian Kinsler, who is currently hitting .319/.375/.517 with 18 homers and 71 RBI.

Unfortunately for the Rangers and Ian, his numbers probably aren't going to change. Kinsler had to leave the Rangers game on Sunday with a sore left groin, but as it turns out, it's probably a sports hernia (as opposed to a business hernia, or the much more devastating agriculture hernia). A sports hernia that's likely to cost Kinsler his season.

Kinsler, an All-Star second baseman and potential Most Valuable Player candidate, did not rule out returning this season but acknowledged he was "mentally" preparing for season-ending surgery.

"There is a lot of stuff I still wanted to accomplish," Kinsler said. "You prepare to play the whole season, and when it's cut short, well, it's not what you expect to have happen at all. I'm having a great season. I wanted to steal the MVP from [Josh] Hamilton. I guess I'll just have to do it again next year."

Well, Ian, if you're going to steal the MVP from Josh, he'll have to steal it from Carlos Quentin first, but that's besides the point. The Rangers have called up Joaquin Arias to take Kinsler's place on the roster, and Kinsler's DL stint marks the 26th time the Rangers have had to use the disabled list this season.

The franchise record is 29, so even though they're 15.5 games behind the Angels, the Rangers still have something left to play for.

The Rangers have been without third baseman Hank Blalock since Friday when he pulled his hamstring during the 10th inning of a 6-5 Rangers victory over the Twins. He sat out both Saturday and Sunday's contests, and is now slated to undergo an MRI today with team orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister.

"I don't know what to think," Blalock said. "My mind is optimistic, but I'm confused. I've never had a hamstring injury. The soreness died down a little today. It had to after I iced it down about six times yesterday."

Wow, that's pretty impressive actually. All the injuries Hank has suffered in his career, and not once has he tweaked a hammy?

Regardless of what the MRI says, I'm guessing that Blalock is going to end up doing some time on the disabled list because of it. Teams generally take the cautious route when it comes to hamstrings because rushing a player back before he's ready usually leads to a lot of long term problems.

The problem for the Rangers is that, if they do put Blalock on the disabled list, they don't have many options to call up and fill in for Blalock. The only extra infielder they currently have on their 40-man roster is Joaquin Arias, and he's still recovering from shoulder surgery that basically makes it impossible to play on the left side of the infield right now. So it's more likely they'll call up another pitcher, and use Ramon Vazquez and German Duran to fill in for the time being.