ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers want struggling rookie outfielder Michael Choice to work on his game in the minor leagues while they replace yet another pitcher in their injury-riddled rotation. Yuta Watanabe Jersey . The Rangers demoted Choice to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday with his average at .177 after just six hits in the past month. "He needed to go get himself together," manager Ron Washington said. "We have a lot of faith in him. Its just that you dont need the struggles to become mental." Infielder Donnie Murphy was designated for assignment, allowing Texas to bring up right-handed reliever Roman Mendez and outfielder Jake Smolinski from Round Rock. Both could make their major league debut in the series opener against Houston. Rookie right-hander Nick Martinez was scratched from Tuesdays start because of a pulled muscle in his rib cage, apparently sustained while batting during an interleague series with the New York Mets. He will be replaced by right-hander Phil Irwin, who made his only big league appearance in a start for Pittsburgh last year. Irwin is 4-1 with a 1.74 ERA in six starts for Round Rock. Its likely that Martinez will be placed on the disabled list but only miss two starts because of the All-Star break. "He wants to start tomorrow, but just trying to be smart," general manager Jon Daniels said. "Irwins been throwing the ball well at Triple-A. Looking forward to seeing what hes got." Irwin will be the 12th starter used by Texas, one shy of Colorados major league high. The Rangers acquired Choice in an off-season trade that sent utility outfielder Craig Gentry to Oakland. He was a September call-up for the As after spending the year with Triple-A Sacramento and was good enough in spring training this year to make Texas opening day roster. "Very few guys come up and stick and contribute from Day One," Daniels said. "That was our hope. There were times we thought that might be the case." The 25-year-old Smolinski was a second-round pick by Washington in 2007 and spent his first seven professional seasons in the minor leagues. He spent most of this season with Double-A Frisco, where he had 10 home runs in 72 games, before a recent promotion. The 23-year-old Mendez missed most of 2013 after surgery for a stress fracture in his right elbow. He was 0-1 with a 4.02 ERA in Round Rock. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release or outright Murphy to the minor leagues. He was hitting .196. Shane Battier Jersey . But last years runner-up Jarkko Nieminen crashed out despite winning the first set against Denis Istomin. Istomin fired 10 aces and won 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 to even his career record against Nieminen at 3-3. Allen Iverson Jersey . The R&A announced Monday that golfs oldest championship will return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for the first time since Max Faulkner won in 1951. https://www.cheapgrizzlies.com/444p-pau-gasol-jersey-grizzlies.html . Bradley is one of eight players selected to the team who also played in this years World Cup in Brazil. The MLS all-stars will compete against German giants Bayern Munich in Portland on Aug.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Anaheim Ducks havent faced much adversity this season, but the Pacific Division leaders will try to avoid losing four straight games for only the second time this season when they visit the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. It wasnt that long ago when the Ducks appeared poised to run away with the division title but the club has fallen on hard times of late. Anaheim has lost three straight and six of its last nine games and Bruce Boudreaus team is a pedestrian 7-7-2 over its last 16 games. The malaise has helped San Jose force its way into the Pacific title conversation. After winning for the eighth time in 11 games on Tuesday, the Sharks are just two points in back of Anaheim for first place. The Ducks are also two points behind St. Louis for the NHL lead. Anaheim has managed to gain two points during its current 0-1-2 slide, but the club came up empty in Mondays 3-1 home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak each registered a goal and two assists to lead Toronto to the victory in Leafs head coach Randy Carlyles return to Anaheim. Carlyle, of course, led the Ducks to their only Stanley Cup title in 2007. He served as Anaheims head coach for six-plus seasons before getting fired on Nov. 31, 2011 and replaced by Boudreau. Corey Perry scored the lone Ducks goal, while Frederik Andersen stopped 20 shots in the loss. "We had our fair chances, but we just couldnt capitalize on them," said Anaheim defenseman Francois Beauchemin. "I thought we played a decent game. We didnt get the result we wanted, but we had lots of chances offensively." The Ducks hope they can get back on track during a road-heavy portion of their schedule over the next few weeks. Anaheim, which has won three straight on the road and is 19-9-3 as the guest this season, kicks off a three-game trip tonight and will play seven of their next nine away from Orange County. Grizzlies Jerseys 2021. Anaheim has claimed the first two of four meetings against the Flames this season and has won four of five and 10 of the past 13 encounters in this series. Calgary, however, has beaten the Ducks in three of the last four meetings at the Saddledome. The Flames, who are 17 points out of a playoff spot in the West, have lost two in a row. Calgary was last in action on Monday when it dropped a 3-2 decision to the visiting Los Angeles Kings. Calgary was down 3-0 with just under 13 minutes left in regulation, but made a valiant comeback effort behind goals from Mike Cammalleri and Brian McGrattan. In the end, however, the Flames were unable to get the equalizer and lost for the third time in five games. "Its unfortunate because I felt that defensively we did lots of good things, but we gave two goals off of tips in front and that ends up being the difference," said Calgary head coach Bob Hartley. "But once again we never quit. We pushed and we pushed and we made a decent come back." Joni Ortio made 20 saves in the loss and he could get another start in net tonight. The 22-year-old rookie has never faced the Ducks. Hiller expects to get the start for Anaheim. He is 5-4-1 with a 2.77 goals against average and .905 save percentage in 10 career games against the Flames. Calgary forward Markus Granlund is questionable for Wednesdays game with an upper-body injury suffered in the loss to the Kings. Defenseman Luca Sbisa is also questionable for Anaheim after sitting out Mondays game with a lower-body injury. ' ' '