Ismael

Valdez

You may want to choose another option over a one-start, limited Valdes.

$750,000 is deferred. Valdez can earn an extra $500,000 in incentives.

Valdes is tentatively scheduled to pitch Friday against the Yankees, but Showalter might push him back one day and pitch Colby Lewis on four days’ rest.

As a result, the Rangers are confident that two weeks rest will soothe the soreness and swelling in the shoulder. Valdes could start May 6, when he’s eligible to come off the DL.

Manager Buck Showalter said Valdes is still set to start Saturday against the Yankees in New York.

It doesn’t appear that Valdes’ shoulder is 100 percent, but as long as he continues to improve, the Rangers plan to start him.

''I feel lots, lots better,’' Valdes said. ''I pitched pain-free on my [rehab] start.’' Nice to hear Ismael finally sounding optimistic. Still, since he’ll be facing the Yankees, you’ll want him benched for his first start back.

Manager Buck Showalter has set up his rotation to allow Chan Ho Park and John Thomson to follow Valdes. The Rangers have five candidates for the final two spots: Joaquin Benoit, Doug Davis, Ryan Drese, Colby Lewis and C.J. Nitkowski.

Perhaps no pitcher sustains as many minor injuries as Valdez. This won’t help him in his competition with Sterling Hitchcock for a rotation spot.

Valdes will earn less than $1 million, making this a very nice signing. He’ll compete with Sterling Hitchcock, Kevin Jarvis and Ben Howard for one of the two open spots in the San Diego rotation. Unless Greg Maddux is signed, it’s safe to assume Valdes will have one of the spots.