PHOENIX – Luis Mendoza's best pitch is his sinker. Rangers pitching coach Mark Connor used Friday's "B" game to remind the 24-year-old pitcher that most of the time, you have to stick with your best stuff.

Mendoza's sinker baffled many of the Royals' minor league hitters in the first and third innings. But Mendoza went away from the sinker with two outs and two runners on base in the second inning and ran into trouble. The Royals banged out five hits in the inning and scored three runs.

Connor was waiting for Mendoza when he walked off the field following the rough inning.

"I thought his pitch selection left a little to be desired," Connor said. "I talked to him about it, and he went out for the third and made it look easy."

Mendoza has impressed the coaches and general manager Jon Daniels this spring.

"His sinker is one of the better pitches of anyone we've got," Daniels said. "He pitches effectively with it, and his breaking ball is making progress. He's certainly giving us something to think about."

Mendoza's stock may have gone up. Hours after Mendoza's start in Surprise, Ariz., Brandon McCarthy had to shorten his outing in Phoenix because of a sore forearm muscle. He'll be evaluated today.

Mendoza said he feels good physically and mentally about what he's doing on the mound. A handful of scouts, who were there to watch Kansas City starter and former Fort Worth Cats pitcher Luke Hochevar, watched the "B" game and the radar guns they had trained on Mendoza showed he was hitting 90-93 mph consistently with his fastballs. He had six strikeouts and induced several ground balls.

"I think I can make the rotation," Mendoza said. "I think I'm fighting for a spot. I'll just keep pitching."

Rangers have interest in Ponson: Texas had someone watch free agent starter Sidney Ponson work out at the Cardinals' spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla., on Thursday. The club might consider Ponson as depth at the Triple-A level.

"You always have to keep you eyes open," Daniels said. "I take comfort in the reports I'm getting on our starters. But you always stay open-minded to adding depth."

The Rangers also scouted Ponson in the Dominican Republic in January. They pursued him before the 2002 and 2006 seasons.

Millwood to pitch simulated game: The Rangers don't want to take any chances with starter Kevin Millwood's sore right hamstring, so he will pitch three innings in a simulated game Monday morning instead of a regular game. That way he doesn't have to worry about fielding until later next week.

"We don't feel like it's 100 percent or it's going to be by Sunday," Connor said. "Our goal is March 31, so we'll keep his arm going."

Jennings feels good: Baylor and Mesquite Poteet product Jason Jennings pitched 2 2/3 innings in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Brewers and said he was pain free. He had two walks and gave up no runs on one hit. Jennings had to sit for a long time while the Rangers scored six runs in the third.

"Last year, that would have been bad news for me, it would have been painful sitting that long and then going back out and getting loose," Jennings said. "I thought, 'Man this will be interesting to see how this feels.' But after the first few warm-up pitches, I was ready to go. That's a good sign."

Blalock back at workouts: Third baseman Hank Blalock said he feels about 90 percent over his stiffness in his neck and the soreness in his back suffered in a car wreck Monday. He said the lingering soreness in his shoulder has dissipated. He took some swings, ran the bases and played catch on Friday. Manager Ron Washington said Blalock was fine and will probably DH in today's game. He could play third base again Sunday or Monday.

Briefly: Joaquin Benoit threw a 10-minute bullpen session Friday and felt better. He was scheduled to pitch one inning in Friday's simulated game. ... C Chris Stewart came out of the "B" game after his right hamstring bothered him as he ran to first base. ... Washington said 3B Travis Metcalf had some pain in his shin after rounding third. He'll be evaluated today. ... Closer C.J. Wilson threw off flat ground today, and Connor said the reports were good. ... RHP Wes Littleton pitched one scoreless inning in the "B" game.