SEATTLE -- Rangers designated hitter Mitch Moreland took early batting practice on Saturday, hit a handful of balls into the outfield bleachers and said afterward he was "optimistic" he could avoid surgery on his left elbow.
Tests showed that Moreland is dealing with a "loose body" -- most likely a bone chip -- in the left elbow. Moreland will be able to deal with it as long as it doesn't settle in the wrong place like the elbow joint.
"There is some soreness but I'm not getting the sharp pain," Moreland said. "I can deal with the soreness.