BALTIMORE – While praising the Rangers' clubhouse chemistry on a local radio show Thursday, outspoken closer C.J. Wilson said the improvement was attributed as much to subtraction as addition.

Wilson lauded the arrivals of players such as Milton Bradley and Eddie Guardado for their influence in the clubhouse. But he also said there were key players on last year's team who were more interested in money than in winning baseball games. He also said an unnamed key veteran was "mean" to younger players.

"I can't even begin to tell you how much better it is now than it was two years ago," Wilson told KTCK's Bob Sturm. "And the most obvious thing I can say is, you look at the roster, the guys that we have now versus the guys that we had then."

On Friday, Wilson again lauded the arrivals of Bradley, Guardado and Josh Hamilton and the growth of Ramon Vazquez and Jamey Wright, but declined to name any specific subtractions he thought were noteworthy to improving chemistry.

While Wilson didn't name any departures directly, he told Sturm a "dark cloud" was lifted from the club last July. He also said a "big" and "medium-sized" cloud disappeared after the 2006 season.

The Rangers traded Eric Gagne, Kenny Lofton and Mark Teixeira in the final week of July 2007. Wilson cited Gagne as an excellent teammate but made no mention of the other two players.

"They weren't interested in being part of a team," Wilson said of the unnamed players. "They were just interested in bank accounts."

Michael Young and Ian Kinsler said they saw no evidence that any members of last year's team were not fully invested in playing winning baseball. Both players said the clubhouse chemistry is better this season, but suggested it had more to do with record than personnel change.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said he believed the chemistry is better this season, but declined to break down whether that was because of any subtractions or additions.

■ Yo-yo is a no-go: Despite the early success of rookie first baseman Chris Davis, Washington said the club has no intentions of asking Hank Blalock to return to third base when he comes off the disabled list.

Washington cited a desire not to "yo-yo," Blalock back-and-forth across the infield after Blalock volunteered to move from third to first two months ago. He hasn't played since making that gesture because of injuries.

Washington said the Rangers have started to discuss potential scenarios if Davis is still playing well when Blalock is ready to return (probably for the second half).

"It's something that's being discussed internally, but we'll let this play out," he said. "When Hank moved, he asked us not to yo-yo him around, and I want to respect that request."

■ Briefly: RHP Brandon McCarthy, rehabbing from forearm inflammation in Arizona, extended his bullpen-throwing session to 55 pitches Friday. He is expected to throw a simulated game Tuesday. ... As part of MLB's fund-raising efforts for the "Welcome Back Veterans" campaign, the Rangers, along with all other clubs, have their insignia adorned with a stars-and-stripes motif for the weekend. They will also wear similar caps Sept. 11. Clubs are selling replica caps, with a portion of the proceeds going to the "Welcome Back Veterans" campaign.