Adrian Beltre takes batting practice for first time in weeks

Adrian Beltre hit batting practice Thursday for the first time since straining his right calf muscle in a different area three weeks ago in a .

Beltre has been on the disabled list since spring training with a strain in another area of the right calf. Before that, he strained his left calf a day before arriving in spring training.

Adrian Beltre took batting practice and fielded grounders before Thursday’s game.

The Rangers hope he’s able to return by the end of the month. He also fielded grounders Thursday but has yet to doing any running. That will be the final hurdle before determining if he’s ready to return.

“The ball sounded good off his bat,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “Anytime…