Rangers manager Ron Washington said Roy Oswalt will not replace Scott Feldman in the rotation Saturday. Oswalt is scheduled to make three more appearances in the minors, and the Rangers have no intention of accelerating that timetable. "The possibility of accelerating him was mentioned," Washington said. "That was cut down. When we get Roy Oswalt here, we want him here for the long haul. We want to make sure he's ready to give us quality outings." If Feldman doesn't get the ball Saturday, Robbie Ross looks like the most likely option to replace him.

Roy Oswalt tossed two scoreless innings in his first start for Triple-A Round Rock Saturday. Oswalt allowed three hits and a walk while striking out one. He threw 34 pitches and then threw another 30 in the bullpen after the game. The veteran righty reportedly was just a notch below the velocity he displayed last season with the Phillies. "Arm feels great," Oswalt said. "That was about where I wanted to be at as far as velocity and stamina. I think I could've gone two or three more innings." Oswalt's next outing for Round Rock will come Thursday. He's currently expected to throw 50 pitches in that start, though he's hoping the Rangers will let him throw 60-65.

Roy Oswalt hopes to join the Rangers after making four minor league tune-up starts. Oswalt, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal with Texas on Tuesday, has been throwing bullpen sessions every other day in an effort to get ready for game action. He's scheduled to make his first minor league tune-up Saturday with Triple-A Round Rock. If all goes well, the veteran right-hander should be ready to join the Rangers in late June.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Rangers are considered the front-runner to sign free agent right-hander Roy Oswalt. This isn't much different than what we've heard throughout the day, but Rosenthal and Morosi are reporting that approval from ownership may be the only thing standing in the way of a deal. It's thought that Oswalt wants $5 million to $7.5 million in a potential contract. The Red Sox, Phillies, Dodgers and Orioles are among the other teams who have expressed interest in the 34-year-old.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Rangers are "actively engaged" in negotiations with Roy Oswalt and may be pushed into finalizing a decision this week.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that while Roy Oswalt threw for the Dodgers last week, team officials are convinced that he'll sign with the Rangers, possibly as soon as this week. Oswalt has also thrown for the Red Sox and Phillies in recent weeks, but there's increased chatter that the Rangers are his preferred destination. The veteran right-hander is close with Rangers' president Nolan Ryan and likes the idea of pitching for a contender close to his Mississippi home. "I would be shocked if he doesn't go to Texas,'' said a baseball official. "A team is going to have to greatly outbid Texas to keep him from going there.'' The Rangers are a pretty good fit, as Neftali Feliz was recently placed on the disabled list with a UCL sprain in his elbow and could return as a reliever. Oswalt should make a decision on his future soon.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, "folks" think Roy Oswalt will decide on a team this week. We're assuming those "folks" are baseball folks. The Rangers are considered the favorite to sign the veteran right-hander, but the Orioles, Red Sox, Phillies, Dodgers and Brewers have also been mentioned as possibilities. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported Sunday that he's looking for a prorated $7.5 million contract.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Dodgers made an offer to Roy Oswalt a while ago and the two sides were "very far apart." This seems to jibe with Sunday's report by FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, who mentioned that the Dodgers checked in on Oswalt and weren't thrilled by his asking price, which was reportedly in the range of a prorated $7.5 million salary. Heyman considers the Rangers the favorites for the veteran right-hander and he certainly isn't alone there, but there's increased speculation that he will sign wherever he will get the most money.

Tim Brown of Yahoo.com reports that the Dodgers have made a contract offer to free agent right-hander Roy Oswalt. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported Sunday that the Dodgers had checked in on Oswalt but found his asking price -- reportedly a pro-rated $7.5 million -- to be "excessive." Evidently, though, they're still in the running, as are the Rangers and some other unnamed clubs, according to Brown. Oswalt has worked out for a handful of teams and should sign on with someone before long.

Jon Heyman was told by one executive of an interested team that Roy Oswalt will top the $2.5 million Andy Pettitte is guaranteed by the Yankees. Oswalt is reportedly seeking a pro-rated $7.5 million, but Heyman's source seems skeptical about whether he'll meet that asking price. Oswalt has worked out for the Phillies, Red Sox, Rangers and at least one other team. The Dodgers are also rumored to have renewed interest.