ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Edinson Vólquez has been shut down from throwing for 4-6 weeks while he deals with a sprained right elbow.

Volquez has not had an MRI since being placed on the injured list April 5. The Rangers prefer to let him rest and let the inflammation subside. At that point, Volquez could undergo an MRI to see if there is significant damage that would prevent him from returning this season.

“I think it’s good for me, because every time they do an MRI, it’s something bad,” Volquez said. “When I found out they weren’t doing an MRI, it was good for me. The way I feel right now, it was really good.”

Volquez made two starts for the Rangers before being shut down. He missed all of last season while recovering from the second Tommy John surgery of his career. Volquez said he will retire if an MRI shows another torn ligament that would require a third such surgery.

Until then, the Rangers are proceeding with the idea Volquez will pitch again this season.

“I am really hopeful that he does,” manager Chris Woodward said. “Be really nice to have him back, just for his sake and all the time and effort he has put into trying to get healthy again. We’ll see in a couple of weeks, see where it is at.”

Right-hander Adrian Sampson will make his first start for the Rangers on Saturday in Volquez’s spot. He has a 1.86 ERA in two relief appearances and was 0-3 with a 3.57 ERA in four starts last year.

“It’s all kind of falling into place,” Sampson said. “Volquez getting hurt is not a good situation, but you've got to take this opportunity and run with it. I feel I am always pitching with a chip on my shoulder. I’m not looking behind, I’m not thinking, 'Oh, you deserve to be up here.' Every day is a new challenge.”

Reviewing the Arizona turf

The two-game series in Arizona earlier this week allowed the Rangers to experience the synthetic turf at Chase Field. The Rangers will have similar turf at Globe Life Field next year, although there could be some alterations after this season’s review from Chase Field.

Outfielder Delino DeShields: “For the most part, it felt like grass. It was a little soft and squishy, but other than that, the ball stayed true, it wasn’t bouncing or anything. You go to Toronto, the ball will bounce over your head. It was pretty normal, and I didn’t have any issues with my body the next day.”

Shortstop Elvis Andrus: “I feel good. My lower back felt it after the first day, but nothing crazy. The more you play on it, the body will get used to it.”

Woodward: “Our guys were fine with it. Two days is hard to tell, especially since a lot of our guys were on one day and off the other. If we were able to play a full three-game or four-game series, we’d have a better feel for it."

Teixeira visits Globe Life

Former Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira was at Globe Life Park on Friday to take place in the countdown ceremony. Teixeira was there to flip the number of regular-season games remaining from 75 to 74 before the Rangers move to Globe Life Field next season. Teixeira was the Rangers' No. 1 Draft pick in 2001, and he played for the Rangers from 2003-07.

Rangers beat

• Rangers pitcher Kyle Bird celebrated his 26th birthday on Friday, two days after earning his first Major League save. Bird got the final two outs in the Rangers' 5-2 win over the D-backs on Wednesday. He entered the game with the bases loaded in his fourth Major League game.

“It meant a lot,” Bird said. “It definitely gives you a confidence boost, them giving me the opportunity to be in that situation. I just attacked. I think I have been trying to be too good on the corners, too picky. I was attacking on every pitch.”

• The Rangers painted a No. 41 in blue and green, the colors of the Dallas Mavericks, on the back of the pitcher’s mound for Friday’s game. It was a tribute to Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki, who played his final NBA game earlier this week.