The AL West race is heating between the Rangers and Angels. Let's take a look at what else is going on in the AL West:
- If Nelson Cruz's hamstring injury appears to be serious, the Rangers will look at internal solutions rather than making a trade, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. The MRI results are in, and Nelson Cruz will be out for three weeks with a strained hamstring, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com
- If the Rangers decided to make a trade, trading for Lance Berkman is one of the options writes Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News. Rangers tried to sign Berkman before this season, but the Puma decided to sign with the Cardinals instead. Berkman, 35, is hitting like it's 2008 with a slash line of .289/.405/.570 and 30 home runs this season.
- The details of Jered Weaver's contract have been revealed, and Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times has the year-to-year salary. Weaver will make a base salary of $14 million in 2012, $16 million in both 2013 and 2014. His salary will jump to $18 million in 2015 and $20 million in 2016, the final year of the contract.
- Mariners have 12 rookies on their 25-man roster, and are going to get even younger once the rosters expand September 1st writes Greg Johns of MLB.com. While the Mariners aren't saying who will be up, Johns speculates third baseman Alex Liddi is a likely candidate. Others are Greg Halman, Carlos Peguero, and Michael Saunders.