ARLINGTON -- Outfielder Nomar Mazara could begin an injury-rehabilitation assignment as soon as Thursday, Banister said.

Mazara has missed 18 games because of a sprained right thumb. He has resumed full baseball activities. The Rangers want to be certain Mazara has regained full strength in the thumb before having him start the assignment.

Mazara said he can deal with the soreness that remains in the thumb.

"I don't worry about the pain," Mazara said. "It's going to be there. I just want to get it strong enough."

Newcomer draws another start: Right-hander Drew Hutchison will get another chance.

Manager Jeff Banister indicated the Rangers will stay with a six-man rotation until the next off day, on Aug. 15. That puts Hutchison in line to start at the New York Yankees on Saturday.

Hutchison debuted with the Rangers on Sunday, a day after signing as a free agent, and allowed six runs in three innings in a loss to Baltimore.

"I'll move on from it and get on to the next one," said Hutchison, who previously appeared with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

Toronto.

Briefly: Willie Calhoun was out of the lineup against Seattle left-hander Wade LeBlanc. The Rangers have faced four left-handed starters since Calhoun returned from the minors, and he has started against one: Houston's Dallas Keuchel. In Calhoun's brief major league career, he is hitting .171 for 41 at-bats against left-handers. ... The Rangers expect right-hander Matt Bush to receive permission to resume light throwing this week. Bush has been on the disabled list since June 14 because of a strained elbow. His treatment has included an injection of platelet-rich plasma. ... Former Baltimore right-hander Chris Tillman, signed to a minor league contract, will join Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. His first start with the club has not been set. ... The Low-A South Atlantic League named slugger Tyreque Reed as its player of the week. Reed had six extra-base hits, including two homers, for 24 at-bats during the week that ended Sunday.