Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Tuesday, Sep. 01, 2009

BASEBALL: Kevin Richardson to rejoin Texas Rangers

Bellingham High School graduate Kevin Richardson is headed to "The Show" - again.

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said Richardson would be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City when rosters expand Tuesday, Sept. 1, to be the third catcher behind Ivan Rodriguez and Taylor Teagarden.

Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was shut down again on Monday after experiencing more numbness in his right arm. He might need season-ending surgery.

Tuesday's call-up would be the second time Richardson has joined the Rangers this season.

The Bellingham High product made a favorable impression in his first stint with the ball club, going 2 for 4 and scoring a run in his Major League Baseball debut on Aug. 17 in a game against the Minnesota Twins. The Rangers won the game 8-5, at the time increasing their lead in the American League wild-card race to one game.

Unfortunately, Richardson's moment was cut short. the excitement from his first game at the big league-level was still fresh in his mind when the Rangers traded for fan-favorite and former American League MVP Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez from Houston the very next day and the catcher was sent back to the minors.

Saltalamacchia, on the disabled list since Aug. 15 because of recurring numbness, had the same problem when catching during a minor league rehab assignment Sunday. He caught seven innings, instead of the scheduled nine, before coming out of the game.

"It felt great going into the fifth inning. After that I felt fatigue and a little but of numbness," he said. "By the seventh, all the fingers in my hand were numb so I couldn't feel the ball. ... I'm not happy. After 15 days I still have symptoms. I was hoping for something better."

When asked about the prospects of surgery, Saltalamacchia said it's "probably a 50-50 chance." He still was to be examined by a doctor.

If called, Richardson probably won't see action immediately. The Rangers play a doubleheader Tuesday and Teagarden will catch the first game and Rodriguez the nightcap.

Richardson graduated from Bellingham High School in 1998 after winning three varsity letters for coach Rob Crawford. He hit .460 with seven home runs and was an all-Northwest League selection as a senior. He went to Spokane Community College before finishing up his collegiate career at Gonzaga University.

Richardson signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and worked his way through the system.

Before his promotion, Richardson was batting .223 with 12 homers and 34 RBI at Oklahoma City this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report