Rangers exercise option on 3B Blalock

Nov 7, 2008 - 11:13 PM ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- The Texas Rangers on Friday exercised their contract option on third baseman Hank Blalock for the 2009 season.

The 27-year-old Blalock, who batted .287 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI in 65 games for the Rangers last season, has been with the organization since being drafted in the third round in 1999.

An All-Star in 2003 and 2004, Blalock has been overcome by injuries the past two seasons, appearing in just 123 games over the past two years combined.

A third baseman throughout his career, he switched over to first for 34 games in 2008 after coming off the disabled list in mid-August.