MINNEAPOLIS -- It took some managerial pleading, but Hank Blalock is switching positions. Again. And this time he is headed back to a place that he never technically vacated.

Yes, Blalock will be the Rangers' new starting third baseman when he returns to the field Friday against Minnesota, manager Ron Washington announced on Thursday. It is the same position he has played in Texas since breaking through with the club as a 21-year-old rookie in 2002.

Blalock played 22 games at the hot corner in 2008 before going down on April 25 with a torn left hamstring. In mid-May, Blalock asked to be moved to first base, a position that had been rife with instability since the club dealt Mark Teixeira to Atlanta last July.

While Blalock learned the new position and rehabbed injuries -- he also had surgery to alleviate pain caused from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in late-May -- Chris Davis emerged as a viable starter at first base. The 21-year-old rookie has batted .259 in 58 at-bats this year, but has displayed big-time power. Davis already has six home runs and has a robust slugging percentage of .655.

The result? Blalock's return to the field will come at the position he has played throughout his career. He will unseat Ramon Vazquez at third.

"Chris Davis had a lot to do with that," Washington said. "The kid came up here, and he proved that he can handle what's going on up here. He's been doing a great job for us and the organization didn't see any reason to pull it out so we pleaded to Hank to see if he would go back to third base, and the professional he is, he did it."

It probably wasn't Blalock's "first" choice, however. Washington and general manager Jon Daniels asked Blalock before Wednesday's rehab game with Double-A Frisco if he would move back to third base upon his imminent activation.

"Immediately he didn't go for that. It took some time for him to think it over. It was a shock," Washington said. "Once he got some quiet time with himself and thought things out, he felt like it was best for the team. He didn't want to see Chris leave. And now I got both of them, so I'm happy."

Blalock's enthusiasm on Thursday centered more on the team's progress when he was injured than toward his shift back to third base.

"It's what the boss says is best for the team. I am an employee, and that's what I'm going to do," Blalock said.

Blalock hit .299 with two home runs and seven RBIs before he was injured.

"I hope it will be easy, I can't predict how I will play over there," Blalock said. "I know I've played plenty of games over there, to where it is a comfortable position for me. I'm going to work hard to get the rust off, and go play the second half just like I never made the transition."

Blalock said because of his experience at third base, he should feel comfortable after "a couple innings." It remains to be seen how the move will affect the Rangers' infield defense.

"My arm strength probably isn't what it used to be, after a couple surgeries, but I will be able to get the job done," Blalock said.

Washington said Blalock will bat either fifth or sixth.

Vazquez, meanwhile, filled in ably during Blalock's absence, hitting .310 in 216 at-bats. Vazquez will now head back to a utility role.

"I get a chance now to give Ian [Kinsler] a day here and Michael [Young] a day here," Washington said. "Before, I had nobody to move around and those two guys up the middle had to just stay out there. Now I can maneuver a little better."

General manager Jon Daniels said the driving force of the move was keeping Blalock and Davis' bats in the lineup.

"Ramon has played very well," Daniels said. "That's not an easy part of this, either. But something has to give."