Josh Hamilton could rejoin Rangers next weekend

Josh Hamilton could be another week from getting back to the majors with the Texas Rangers.

General Manager Jon Daniels said that Hamilton is “clearly making progress” in his personal spring training since being re-acquired three weeks ago in a trade with the Angels.

Daniels initially said Hamilton’s return would probably be in New York or Cleveland, both part of an upcoming nine-game trip. He later said it was probably “more likely” that it would be the series at the Indians, which starts a week from Monday.

The Rangers have Monday off before a three-game series in Boston. They go to New York for a three-game weekend series against the Yankees and then play three games in Cleveland. Their next home game is May 28 against the Red Sox.

Daniels said there were no concerns about Hamilton making his season debut in Yankee Stadium and the large media presence in New York.

“That’s not going to be a factor in our decision,” he said.

Jaime Garcia to start for Cardinals on Thursday

The St. Louis Cardinals are giving left-hander Jaime Garcia his first start of the season, Thursday against the New York Mets.

Garcia had a setback in spring training from thoracic outlet surgery, performed to alleviate numbness and tingling in his pitching arm and hand. He threw six innings in a minor league rehab start this weekend, and St. Louis needed a starter after Tyler Lyons faltered Saturday.

Garcia appeared in only 16 games combined the last two seasons. He was a 13-game winner each of his first two seasons in the rotation in 2010 and 2011.

Lyons is 0-0 with a 5.54 earned-run average, striking out 17 in 13 innings but also surrendering 18 hits.