Teagarden makes debut

Taylor Teagarden made his major league debut Friday night, capping the best week of the catcher’s professional career, as Jarrod Saltalamacchia recovers from a groin injury and an All-Star break stomach virus that hospitalized him for a night.

The Rangers are hoping to avoid putting Saltalamacchia on the disabled list. He took batting practice twice, but said he was out of breath after three swings as he recovers from dehydration caused by the virus.

Saltalamacchia spent Wednesday night in a Florida hospital, but said he wanted to play the Rangers’ first game of the second half.

Instead, he will be evaluated after the three-game series against the Twins. If Saltalamacchia is deemed healthy, Teagarden likely will be sent back to Triple A Oklahoma and be able to participate in the Olympics next month.

He was picked for Team USA on Wednesday. Reliever Kameron Loe was optioned to Oklahoma to create a roster spot.

"I want to be on the ultimate stage of baseball, but the Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime deal," Teagarden said. "If it came down to it, I’d want to stay here."

Gabbard done

Left-hander Kason Gabbard had surgery to remove a bone spur in his elbow during the All-Star break, said general manager Jon Daniels, and will miss the rest of the season.

Gabbard, who went on the disabled list June 28, had been at extended spring training in Surprise, Ariz. He was 2-3 this season with a 4.83 ERA and six more walks (39) than strikeouts (33).

Rest for Hamilton?

Josh Hamilton said he got 20 minutes of sleep after the All-Star Game before he had to pack his bags and head to the airport Wednesday for a flight to Raleigh, N.C.

He slowly started to catch up on his sleep, and expects to be fully caught up in another day or so. He also got to see his new house and go out on the lake, and got to eat at one of his favorite places back home — the all-you-can eat lunch buffet at Pizza Inn.

Hamilton noticed something every stop he has made, a byproduct of his record performance in the Home Run Derby.

"Everywhere I went, they knew who I was," he said.

McCarthy to Triple A

Right-hander Brandon McCarthy is heading to Oklahoma to finish his rehab assignment against Triple A hitters. He will start Tuesday at Salt Lake City and throw 60 pitches or four innings.

Jon Daniels said McCarthy will have 20 days to complete his assignment in Oklahoma, and he could be ready to pitch for the Rangers early next month.