ARLINGTON, Texas -- Injured Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia took a cortisone shot to target pain on Saturday and today he will undergo an acupuncture treatment for the first time in his life, an indication that he's trying everything to heal his ailing back and get back on the field.
On Friday, he underwent a nerve block injection on the upper left side of his back in order to reduce inflammation. Saltalamacchia hurt himself in the season opener and is on the DL.
"I heard it's good stuff," Saltalamacchia said of acupuncture. "We had a chiropractor here [Saturday] who adjusted me and I feel better after that, so..."
After smacking the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning in the opener, Saltalamacchia said he's eager to get back and hopes to be ready by the time the club returns to Arlington after its frst road trip of the season, which starts Monday in Cleveland, goes to New York and ends in Boston on April 22. He will stay in town to receive treatment.
In other injury news, second baseman Ian Kinsler performed baseball type drills on Saturday, but is not ready to return to action. Kinsler took some infield and batting practice on Saturday, but the Rangers will be cautious with his timetable in returning to the lineup.