SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Rangers keep saying that the injuries to Kevin Millwood and Brandon McCarthy are minor.

But just in case they aren't, and you know how pesky those little spring training pains can be, A.J. Murray and Luis Mendoza reminded every one on hand Wednesday that they might just be ready to step into the rotation.

Murray started the Rangers' 6-1 win over Kansas City that kicked off the exhibition schedule. Mendoza followed. Each pitched two scoreless innings filled with first-pitch strikes. It followed the pattern they both established last September when they made impressive, albeit brief, auditions as starters.

"Without a doubt, I'd be comfortable with either one of them," manager Ron Washington said. "They went out there and just pounded the strike zone. These are two kids with a whole lot of potential, and hopefully they can build on this."

Whether they can build on it enough to crack the opening day rotation, however, probably depends on the health of the first five. Their health is a legitimate issue.

McCarthy, who was scheduled to start Wednesday, was scratched because of forearm soreness. Kevin Millwood has been nursing a sore hamstring for nearly a week.

And on it goes: Vicente Padilla is being monitored closely because there are concerns his season-long elbow soreness was a product of throwing too hard too fast in spring training. Jason Jennings is coming off elbow surgery. Kason Gabbard, who has had multiple arm operations, was shut down late last season because of arm fatigue.

Also, the Rangers don't need a fifth starter until the 12th game of the season, so even if one is hurt, they might simply elect to go with the four healthy guys until a decision is needed.

But if there are problems, it is Mendoza or Murray who would probably get the first look rather than higher-ranked prospects such as Eric Hurley and Matt Harrison.

Though Murray's two innings Wednesday were scoreless, he did have trouble finishing off hitters. He started with two strikes on five of the eight hitters he faced but still ended up walking two and finished with 43 pitches. Pitching coach Mark Connor attributed some of that to a subtle delivery change. Murray was simply not happy with the nine-pitch leadoff walk to David DeJesus that started the game.

"Last year, in both of my starts, I got ahead of guys 0-and-2 and walked them to start the first," Murray said. "It really bothered me then and it bothers me today. I just got too fine and nitpicky once I got ahead of hitters."

Mendoza was sharper Wednesday. He duplicated his work from last September when he threw strikes, worked quickly and coaxed bushels of ground balls. Mendoza needed just 23 pitches to work his two innings. His six outs came via four ground balls, a caught stealing and a strikeout. The strikeout came on the lone breaking pitch he threw Wednesday, a 2-2 curve to No. 9 hitter Tony Pena Jr.

"I know I'm not a strikeout pitcher, so I just try to throw as many good strikes as I can and get ahead," Mendoza said. "I don't know if I can make the team if everybody is healthy. It is not my decision to make."

No, but, if there is a health issue, Mendoza or Murray could make the decision for the Rangers.