Rangers not making bench change yet

Published Aug. 20, 2012 5:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Texas Rangers plan to stick with a three-man bench for now and keep 13 pitchers.

Texas has gone with a three-man bench since they activated Mark Lowe from the disabled list Aug. 10. Texas manager Ron Washington said the plan then was to stick with eight relievers through the team's just-completed road trip and re-evaluate once the team returned to Arlington.

Now the club will see how long they can go a player short on the bench.

"We talked about it and right now we're just going to try and ride this out a little longer," Washington said. "Removing somebody from that bullpen right now, they're all doing a good job, so we're just going to try and ride it a little bit. We really don't have to make a move until Koji (Uehara) gets back."

The Rangers could try and stretch the bench until rosters expand Sept. 1. Washington isn't sure the team will wait that long but is prepared if that's the case.

Washington doesn't think the short bench has hurt the team yet.

"I was able to maneuver the way we had to maneuver in the situations we were put in," Washington said. "I've just never had to deal with a three-man bench. I've always had four. I'm just trying to get used to it.

Martin down

The Rangers sent outfielder Leonys Martin back to Round Rock to make room for right-hander Ryan Dempster, who was activated from the restricted list.

Martin had just two plate appearances in the series in Toronto.