SURPRISE, Ariz. – Kevin Millwood wasn't thrilled with the location of his pitches in Monday's simulated game. But the Rangers' No. 1 starter said his sore right hamstring felt good.

Millwood threw 54 pitches in 3⅓ innings on a back field at Surprise Recreation Campus. It was his second outing of the spring, both of which have been simulated games. Unofficially, Millwood had five strikeouts, one walk and gave up two hits as he pitched to a group of Rangers minor leaguers. There were no fielders behind Millwood, and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia called balls and strikes.

Millwood threw a couple of curveballs in the dirt and was upset that he left a few fastballs up.

"I wasn't happy with it [the pitch location]," Millwood said. "The hamstring felt good, and that's the main thing."

Pitching coach Mark Connor said Millwood might not start in a regular spring game Saturday, but he could pitch in a minor league game. Millwood has three outings left before he's slated to pitch the opening game of the season on March 31 in Seattle.

"I'd like to be able to pitch in a game where I have to do everything, like I would in a real game," said Millwood, who added he didn't care if that was a minor league or major league spring game. "I understand that right now, erring on the side of caution is better than trying to do more than I'm ready for."

G.J. MCCARTHY / DMN

Texas Rangers pitcher Kevin Millwood has three outings left before the season opener on March 31.

Millwood is slated to go through fielding drills after his second bullpen session between starts to make sure his hamstring is fully healed.

Ponson arrives: Starter Sidney Ponson had a bullpen session Monday, shortly after he arrived in camp, and said he feels like he's ready to pitch in a game. Connor wants to sit down with Ponson, a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation, and map out a plan first.

Ponson said his mind is clear and he's over any off-field troubles. He was charged with assault in Aruba in 2004 and had two DUIs in the U.S. in 2005.

"That's in the past," Ponson said. "I learned my lessons. I was young and stupid. I thought I was Superman. I'm 31 now. I'm grown up, and I know what's right and wrong."

The Rangers won't need a fifth starter until April 12, which could give Ponson more time to get ready should he win the job. He has a clause in his contract that says he can ask for his release if he's not on the major league roster by May 1.

Blalock plays third: Hank Blalock, recovering from a stiff neck and back sustained in a car wreck last Monday, played third base for the Rangers for the first time since Feb. 29 late Monday night.

Blalock fielded a ground ball cleanly in the fourth and charged a chopper to make a nice play in the fifth. He was 0-for-3 but reached on an error in the sixth.

"I'm completely over the soreness now," Blalock said. "It felt good to be back at third. I don't like sitting around and not being out there."

McCarthy gets another MRI: RHP Brandon McCarthy did not go to Dallas as scheduled for treatment for a strained right forearm. Dr. Keith Meister wanted to see another MRI from a different angle, which McCarthy got late Monday afternoon in Arizona. Before having the second MRI, McCarthy said that Meister believed there was no ligament damage, but he wanted a clearer view of the area before considering treatment options.

Other injuries: 3B Travis Metcalf had an MRI on Monday that showed a partially torn left hamstring tendon. Metcalf, who was having a good spring at the plate (.412 batting average) and in the field, figures he'll be out at least two weeks. C Taylor Teagarden's left wrist still bothers him, so he had an MRI on Monday as well. The training staff though it was a bone bruise.

Briefly: RHP Joaquin Benoit, working on strengthening his arm and getting over some right shoulder soreness, threw 16 pitches (10 strikes) to three batters in a simulated game Monday. He gave up three ground balls (two might have been hits). Connor isn't sure when Benoit might pitch in a regular game. ... Closer C.J. Wilson had a bullpen session Monday and is supposed to have another before possibly playing in a game this weekend. ... The Rangers sent infielders Joaquin Arias, Elvis Andrus, Chris Davis and German Duran, outfielders Julio Borbon and John Mayberry Jr., catchers Max Ramirez and Chris Stewart and pitchers Thomas Diamond, Bill White, Kea Kometani to minor league camp.

With opening day less than three weeks away, the Rangers' rotation is filled with uncertainty. The outlook, with comments from Richard Durrett:

1. RHP Kevin Millwood: Working to get over sore hamstring.

2. RHP Vicente Padilla: So far, so good as he's having solid spring.

3. RHP Jason Jennings: Says he's pitching without pain.

4. RHP Brandon McCarthy: Out 4-6 weeks with strained forearm.

5. LHP Kason Gabbard: Healthy, but spring numbers aren't good.

5. RHP Luis Mendoza: Leading contender to take McCarthy's rotation spot.

5. RHP Sidney Ponson: Just arrived, but vying to join the rotation.

5. RHP Eric Hurley: Learning fast, but should start season in minors.