SURPRISE, Ariz. -- On perhaps the coldest morning since the Rangers arrived for Spring Training, Vicente Padilla shrugged off the chill and threw the equivalent of 4 1/3 innings in a Minor League intrasquad game on Sunday.

Padilla pitched against a mixture of Rangers' Triple- and Double-A players so that Sidney Ponson could start Sunday's Cactus League game against the Athletics in Phoenix. He allowed two hits, including a home run to Adam Fox, walked three and struck out five.

"He was good," pitching coach Mark Connor said. "He had good life on his fastball. I was pleased that he pitched with the intensity he did. He got something out of it."

Other developments on the Rangers pitching staff:

• Manager Ron Washington said he expects Kason Gabbard to be his fourth starter even though he has a 12.77 ERA so far this spring. Said Washington, "I don't see anything changing. Kason is throwing the ball well. He just needs to hone in on his command, and we know he can command the baseball."

• Kevin Millwood will make his first Cactus League start on Thursday against the Rockies in Tucson, Ariz. Eric Hurley, who started for Millwood on Saturday, will likely make his next start in a Minor League game on Thursday.

• Washington said he expects Hurley to start the season at Triple-A Oklahoma. Said Washington, "That's the plan unless he changes it."

• Relievers C.J. Wilson and Joaquin Benoit are scheduled to make their next appearance in a Minor League game on Tuesday.