SEATTLE -- The Rangers are ready to go with a platoon at first base with Frank Catalanotto, a left-handed hitter, and Chris Shelton, who swings from the right side.

Catalanotto will be at first base on Thursday night when the Rangers play the Mariners at Safeco Field. Ben Broussard, who also hits left-handed, will be on the bench, and there's no indication when or if he'll start again. He has been taking fly balls in the outfield, but he's not likely to play there.

"Ben is a better player than he has shown, but right now we're taking a look at other guys," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said.

Broussard is hitting .159 with three home runs and eight RBIs in 26 games. He has not hit a home run or driven in a run since April 6, and he has played in just two of the Rangers' last nine games. Manager Ron Washington has no plans to start him anytime soon.

"His role is to be ready when we need him," Washington said. "As soon as I see an opportunity to get Ben in there, I'll do it. It's a tough situation because he's the guy I wanted in here."

The Rangers may have to make a decision on Broussard by Tuesday. Marlon Byrd, on the disabled list with a sore right knee, is expected to go on a medical rehab assignment on Saturday. The Rangers want him to play three games down there.

That means he could be activated as early as Tuesday, and Broussard could be on the spot if the Rangers need the roster spot.

Pitching matchup
TEX: LHP Kason Gabbard (1-0, 2.18 ERA)
Gabbard has made four starts for the Rangers and is coming off the disabled list. He has been sidelined with a strained muscle in his lower back. He pitched four innings for Double-A Frisco on a medical rehabilitation assignment on Saturday and allowed one run on one hit and three walks in four innings. He struck out six. He has a 5.59 ERA in three career appearances against the Mariners.

SEA: RHP Felix Hernandez (2-2, 3.04 ERA)
Hernandez is 0-2 with a 5.49 ERA in his last three games but is still second in the American League in strikeouts. He has made one start against the Rangers, in the second game of the season, and allowed one unearned run over seven innings. The Rangers rallied late to win, but Hernandez is still 3-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his last four starts against them. He is 4-4 with a 4.10 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 68 innings over 11 starts vs. Texas, his most against any team.

Tidbits
The Rangers are 4-2 with one game left on their current road trip. This will mark only the second time they have had a winning record in their last 16 multi-city road trips, going back to the 2006 All-Star break. ... Rangers relievers have not allowed a run in their last 18 2/3 innings. ... Opponents are hitting just .125 this season off reliever C.J. Wilson

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Up next
• Friday: Rangers (Scott Feldman, 0-1, 5.40) vs. Athletics (Greg Smith, 2-1, 2.54), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 2-3, 4.94) vs. Athletics (Dana Eveland, 3-2, 3.05), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Rangers (Sidney Ponson, 2-0, 1.33) vs. Athletics (Rich Harden, 1-0, 0.82), 2:05 p.m. CT