Right-hander Dustin Nippert was the only player among six who are eligible for salary arbitration to not be tendered a contract for 2011 by the Texas Rangers.
Nippert spent the past three seasons with the Rangers, and general manager Jon Daniels didn't rule out Nippert returning for a fourth. If he doesn't return, the Rangers are left with only a few options for right-handed long relief.
Doug Mathis was released last month, leaving Scott Feldman, Guillermo Moscoso and Omar Beltre on the 40-man roster who could fill the long right-handed role. Feldman, the Opening Day starter in 2010, will likely get a chance to start again during spring training. The Rangers could go with only left-handers in long relief -- with Matt Harrison, Michael Kirkman and Derek Holland all potential candidates -- or they could sign a righty this off-season.
Those who were tendered contracts are key players: Josh Hamilton, C.J. Wilson, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy and Darren O'Day.
-- Jeff Wilson
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