ARLINGTON – Hank Blalock's return might be pushed back, but Blalock said that doesn't represent a setback.

Blalock was scratched from the lineup of Double-A Frisco on Thursday at Midland because his left hamstring tightened up while he was cooling down from batting practice.

He returned to the Texas Rangers and will continue to work out through the weekend. If that goes well, he will probably go to Arizona to play in extended spring training games early next week.

Blalock said his new goal is to be ready when the Rangers play at Cleveland next weekend.

"I was just probably being a little stubborn, but my body told me it wasn't ready," Blalock said. "Nothing really grabbed or pulled, but I could tell between batting practice and running some sprints that it just wasn't ready. I just tried to get back a little too soon."

Blalock suffered a partial tear of the hamstring on April 25. At the time, the Rangers indicated he would probably be out of the lineup three to six weeks. Friday was exactly three weeks from his placement on the DL.

Ryan on the Boot: Rangers president Nolan Ryan said he'd like to see the start of the Rangers-Astros home-and-home series moved until after school is out to allow more families from around Texas to travel to the games.

"There is a lot of interest outside the metropolitan areas where kids with families would like to come in, but because of the school situation, a lot can't," Ryan said.

The second half of the Silver Boot series will be played June 24-26 in Houston. Last year, the Rangers played at Houston from May 18 to 20, and the Astros came to Arlington from June 22 to 24. Ryan said he might bring up the idea of moving the home-and-home series back at the owners meetings.

Ryan said he feels there is some level of competition between fans of the clubs.

"I think there is a line somewhere through East and Central Texas where there is a division of fans," Ryan said. "And where that line is fluctuates a little depending on which is the more competitive team. I think there is a segment of the population you are fighting for."

Briefly: DH Milton Bradley returned to the lineup Friday after missing two games with a sore right shoulder. ... RHP Luis Mendoza threw in the bullpen despite a blister on his right middle finger. He is expected to make a rehab start for Double-A Frisco on Sunday. His last start for Frisco was shortened by the blister.