Blalock is returning as Texas' designated hitter. General manager Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington made that clear to Blalock when speaking with him on Friday.

"I talked to Hank, and he was in a great mood," Washington said. "He took the news well and was very pleased. All Hank wants to do is help the team, be healthy, play a whole year, swing the bat and prove what he can do.

"Hank made it known that he still feels he's an everyday player, but he's willing to do whatever he can to help the ballclub. In our situation right now, he'll have to be the DH. That could change depending on what else we do this winter."

The possibility remains the Rangers could try to trade Blalock for pitching at some point in the offseason. The Giants and the Mariners are among the teams that have expressed interest in him. The Rangers' main goal this offseason is to upgrade their starting pitching, and that was their focus at the recent General Managers Meetings.

Blalock, who now can be a free agent after the 2009 season, has been the Rangers' Opening Day third baseman for the past seven years, but moved to first base in the second half of last season because of a sore right shoulder. He displaced Chris Davis, who moved from first to third base to accommodate Blalock. But the Rangers prefer to use Davis at first base.

Blalock, who could still see occasional work at first, will likely replace Milton Bradley, who was the Rangers' designated hitter for much of last season, but is a free agent. The Rangers aren't likely to re-sign Bradley, and will likely instead focus on finding a regular third baseman.

Casey Blake and Joe Crede are the top two third basemen on the free-agent market. The Rangers have interest in Blake, while Crede has had back problems in each of the past two seasons that are a cause for concern.

Blalock hit .287 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs for the Rangers in 2008 while missing a total of 108 days on the disabled list from April 26-July 17 and July 28-August 21, because of a series of injuries that included a torn left hamstring muscle, right wrist surgery and a sore right shoulder.

He still finished the season strong, hitting .337 (32-for-95) with eight home runs, 10 doubles and 23 RBIs in 24 games in September. But his shoulder problems will likely prevent him from returning to third base.

"Hank really swung the bat well at the end of the year, and we look forward to him continuing to make an impact for us in 2009," Daniels said. "I give him a lot of credit for embracing a position change mid-year, and doing whatever's necessary to help the team."

Blalock, a third round pick out of high school in the 1999 First-Year Player Draft, has been with the Rangers longer than any other player except shortstop Michael Young. He was an All-Star third baseman in 2003-04.