ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers are a much-improved team offensively than when first baseman Mitch Moreland went on the disabled list April 29. Now that Moreland is back from elbow surgery, getting him into the lineup won't be so easy.
Moreland was one of the Rangers' most productive hitters while the rest of the team struggled through April. He hit .304 with nine RBIs before being placed on the disabled list to get his elbow cleaned up.
The team Moreland returned to Wednesday has since won six of its last games and is hitting the ball much better overall.
"I was only gone for a couple of days, but it's been fun to watch 'em and hopefully they can continue," Moreland said. "And maybe I can jump in there and enjoy it with them."
What won't be fun for manager Jeff Banister is figuring out how to get Mo-reland, Prince Fielder and Kyle Blanks in the lineup at the same time. All three are first basemen. They are also three of the Rangers' most productive hitters.
Wednesday's solution was to start Moreland at first base and Fielder at desig-nated hitter while giving Blanks they day off.
Banister said he will have to be "extremely creative" to get all three of their bats in the same lineup.
"That's a good problem to have, though," Banister said.
Fielder has no other position besides first base and designated hitter, but Blanks and Moreland have played in the outfield at the major league level.
"We've talked to Moreland and Blanks about going to the outfield," Banister said. "They're both aware and have expressed to me that they would be willing to spend some time in the outfield if needed."
Both Blanks and Moreland may need a refresher course playing in the out-field.
Blanks has played 169 major league games in the outfield, the majority of them from 2009-2013 with the Padres. He's played just two games in the outfield the last two seasons with San Diego and Oakland..
Moreland has played 47 games in the majors as an outfielder, 34 of them in the 2011 season with the Rangers.
Smolinski sent down
Outfielder Jake Smolinski was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to make room for Moreland. Banister said Smolinski remains in the Rangers' long-range plans, but he simply wasn't getting enough work with the major league club.
Smolinski, batting .140, has had a limited role since Carlos Peguero and Kyle Blanks were added to the roster.
"It comes down to playing time for Jake," Banister said. "He needs to go play. He needs to get at-bats."
Lefthander added to the bullpen
The Rangers added a second lefthander to the bullpen Wednesday when they purchased the contract of Sam Freeman from Triple-A Round Rock. Freeman went to nearby Hebron High School.
Stolmy Pimentel was designated for assignment to make room for Freeman. The move was announced roughly an hour before Wednesday's game against the Royals.
Alex Claudio had been the Rangers' only lefty reliever since being called up April 27. Before that, the Rangers had no southpaws in the bullpen.
On Tuesday, Claudio gave up a seventh-inning homer on an 0-2 pitch to Kan-sas City's Mike Moustakas. Pimentel gave up the game-winning homer to Alex Gordon on his first pitch in the 10th inning.
Decision nears for Fujikawa
Righthanded reliever Kyuji Fujikawa was in Arlington on Wednesday. Fu-jikawa is nearing the end of his rehab assignment for a right groin strain but Banis-ter said no decision has been made on his status.
Fujikawa was placed on the disabled list prior to Opening Day.
Martin gets another day of rest for wrist
Center fielder Leonys Martin was not in the lineup for a second day Wednes-day to work out the soreness in his left wrist.
Banister said there was some consideration to placing Martin on the disabled list to make room for Moreland. Martin originally injured the wrist when he landed on it after making a dive in outfield May 4, then hurt it again while batting Monday night when he got jammed on a pitch.
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
