ST. LOUIS - The Rangers are not about to waste their one off day in a six-week stretch leading up to the All-Star break.

Manager Jeff Banister said Sunday he will use the scheduled off day Thursday to make sure all of his current starters get an extra day of rest. It also creates the opportunity for right-hander A.J. Griffin to return to the rotation Friday after a three-start rehab assignment.

Griffin allowed three hits and one earned run in five innings Sunday for Double-A Frisco in his third rehab start after a shoulder strain. He threw 77 pitches. The other possibility would be right-hander Nick Martinez, who threw four solid innings Saturday before struggling in the fifth.

"I think we are in a good enough spot that we can be patient," Banister said. "We will let everything play out."

The Rangers have used Griffin, Martinez and Ramos to fill the No. 5 spot in Yu Darvish's absence. They have gotten solid outings, going 8-3 in the games those three have started.