Rodriguez Set to Return

Texas Ranger catcher Ivan Rodriguez has been cleared to begin a rehabilitation assignment from the back injury that has kept him out since April 15.

Rodriguez was examined by team back specialist Dr. Drew Dossett on Tuesday night, and Dossett gave the 10-time All-Star the OK to report to Port Charlotte, Fla., for extended spring training on Thursday and Friday.

After playing in 12 games, Rodriguez suffered a herniated disk in his back in mid-April.

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New York Yankee reliever Ramiro Mendoza flew to Panama on Tuesday and will miss two games after his grandmother died.... Andy Pettitte, who hasn’t pitched for the Yankees since April 15 because of tendinitis in his left elbow, reported no problems after a bullpen session.... The Tampa Bay Devil Rays optioned catcher Toby Hall and outfielder Jason Tyner to triple-A Durham. The team recalled infielder Aubrey Huff and catcher Paul Hoover.