ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff was scheduled to be evaluated Friday at home by a back specialist before the Rangers make a roster move to activate Adrian Beltre from the disabled list. Kouzmanoff, who is hitting .362 in 13 games and is the reigning AL player of the week, came out of Tuesdays game at Oakland because of a sore back. General manager Jon Daniels said Kouzmanoff has some history of lower back problems and was still having symptoms Thursday, an off day for the Rangers between series at Oakland and Seattle. Daniels said Kouzmanoff was travelling back to Texas and that the Rangers hoped to have a report from Dr. Drew Dossett before making room on the roster for Beltre, the third baseman who hasnt played since April 8 because of a left quad strain. Left-hander Pedro Figueroa, who has had Tommy John surgery in the past, has a torn ligament in his elbow and damage to a flexor tendon. The reliever, who last week got his first two major league victories in consecutive games, will likely have surgery next week. Figueroa was put on the disabled list Wednesday after throwing only one pitch Tuesday night. He was the 11th Rangers player to go on the DL this year. Daniels said outfielder Shin-Soo Choo reported improvement Thursday on his sore left ankle that the team is "expecting at this point to be able to avoid the DL." Choo got hurt Monday night at Oakland when he landed awkwardly when extending his leg to beat out what was ruled an infield single. Former Rangers closer Neftali Feliz was put on the minor league disabled list with Triple-A Round Rock because of soreness and inflammation around his right elbow. Team physician Dr. Keith Meister examined Feliz, and Daniels said Feliz is on oral medication for the inflammation and could resume throwing early next week. There appears to be no structural damage or issues with any ligaments. Feliz had ligament replacement surgery Aug. 1, 2012, after starting that season in the rotation, and returned to the Texas bullpen for six appearances at the end of last season. The Rangers sent him to the minors after he was inconsistent with his velocity and performance during spring training. New Adidas NMD 2019 . Heck, we might just miss the BCS. Maybe? It sort of worked out this season. Top-ranked Florida State (13-0) was the only team to get through the regular season unbeaten, and the Seminoles did it in dominating fashion. Adidas NMD R1 Japan Black . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Steve Mason, Philadelphia (4) - Mason was brilliant all night long with save after big save on Benoit Pouliot, Carl Hagelin and Derick Brassard. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/adidas-nmd...508-unisex.html. He was still a kid, going into his senior year of high school. Thursday, the point guard stood in front of a couple dozen members of the media and spoke with poise about how much hed grown since then, and how hes ready for the next level. Adidas NMD Black Sale . The Tournament of Champions, which starts Friday, is his first event since a freak accident in Shanghai two months ago. Snedeker was on a Segway scooter during a corporate outing at Sheshan International when he took a tumble and injured his left knee. Fake NMD For Sale .com) - The Los Angeles Kings werent playing their best hockey before the league went on break during the Winter Olympics. DETROIT -- James Shields was acquired two offseasons ago to pitch in games like this for Kansas City. With the Royals trying to avoid a sweep in their biggest series in years, the 32-year-old right-hander delivered. "You dont earn a nickname like Big Game James for nothing," manager Ned Yost said. "Games dont come much bigger than this." Shields allowed two hits over seven innings in another terrific performance, and Kansas City edged Detroit 3-0 on Wednesday night to take a one-game lead over the Tigers atop the AL Central. Detroit had won the first two games of the series to pull into a virtual tie for first in the division. The teams have a three-game series in Kansas City that starts Sept. 19. "Its definitely a game that we needed, for sure, but I think every game from here on out is pretty crucial," Shields said. "We took a couple tough losses there, the last couple days, but were having fun right now and enjoying the moment." Shields (14-7) gave up a single to Ian Kinsler leading off the first. Then he picked off Kinsler -- and retired every other batter he faced until another Detroit single in the seventh. The Tigers put two on that inning, but Shields worked out of the jam. Kelvin Herrera pitched the eighth and Wade Davis finished for his third save. Rick Porcello (15-11) pitched well for the Tigers, but Kansas City pushed across two runs in the fourth on RBI singles by Salvador Perez and Lorenzo Cain. Alcides Escobar added a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Shields was acquired in December 2012 in a trade that sent top prospect Wil Myers to Tampa Bay. Myers won Rookie of the Year honours last season, but now Shields has helped put the Royals in contention for their first post-season appearance since 1985. "The only thing Ive been telling guys is just stay relaxed and have fun," said Shields, who pitched in the post-season for Tampa Bay in 2008, 2010 and 2011. "This is why we play the game." He came within two outs of a shutout in New York on Friday in a 1-0 win over the Yankees, and the Tigers didnt fare any better against him. SShields struck out eight and walked one on Wednesday, throwing 98 pitches.dddddddddddd Torii Hunters comebacker hit Shields in the back of his right leg in the first, but the Kansas City starter was able to continue. The game was delayed 42 minutes by rain at the start, and in the fourth it was raining hard enough to send fans toward the concourse, but there were no more delays. RALLY HALTED In the seventh, Hunter managed a single and Miguel Cabrera walked, but Shields retired Victor Martinez on a deep fly and struck out J.D. Martinez. "Thats pretty typical of him. He goes out and he pitches like that for 200 innings every year. Thats what he does," Kinsler said. "Rick threw the ball really well, but we didnt create any offence, and thats the game." TOUGH LOSS Porcello struck out four of the first five Kansas City batters. He allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings, striking out seven without a walk. He allowed consecutive singles to Josh Willingham, Eric Hosmer and Perez with one out in the fourth, and Cains two-out single made it 2-0. TRAINERS ROOM Royals: All-Star closer Greg Holland sat out again, despite the tight score in the late innings. He hasnt pitched since Sept. 3 because of a triceps issue. "Greg felt fine today," Yost said. "My whole mindset was, I was going to go up to the point where Greg said, OK, I dont feel anything -- and then give him another day." Tigers: RHP Joakim Soria (left oblique strain) was activated from the disabled list before the game. He allowed a run in the ninth. ... Left-handed reliever Phil Coke left in the eighth with a muscle spasm in his lower back after being unable to field Hosmers bunt. UP NEXT Royals: RHP Liam Hendriks (1-1) starts against Bostons Clay Buchholz (7-8) on Thursday night. Kansas City LHP Danny Duffy is missing that turn in the rotation because of a sore shoulder. Tigers: Detroit has an off day Thursday, followed by a home series against Cleveland. Tigers LHP David Price (13-11) starts against Cleveland RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-4) on Friday night. ' ' '