Rangers Notes: Long Camp Begins to Wind Down

David Murphy, batting .333 with six RBIs this spring, is set to take over as the everyday left fielder.

With the World Baseball Classic having come and passed, Texas once again has a full roster in Surprise, Ariz., and is continuing to prepare for the season opener against Houston, now just 10 short days away.

No decision has been formally announced regarding the Rangers’ Opening Day starter, but left-hander Matt Harrison would be on schedule to get ball Mar. 31 at Minute Maid Park versus the Astros.

Righty Yu Darvish was a late scratch from his scheduled appearance Monday night against Kansas City, citing mild stiffness in his neck and saying that “If this was a regular season game, I would start.”

Darvish and Harrison figure to lead a near-complete Texas rotation (lacking only a clear No. 5 starter at this point), but there are still several bullpen roles to be won by any among a slew of candidates, among them right-handers Justin Grimm, Josh Lindblom, Evan Meek, Tanner Scheppers and Coty Woods and southpaws Michael Kirkman and Nate Robertson.

Internally, the fifth starting spot has come down to a competition between left-hander Robbie Ross and non-roster invitee Nick Tepesch, although Jon Heyman of CBS Sports recently indicated the Rangers are mulling outside options such as free agent Kyle Lohse and Detroit’s Rick Porcello.

As for the rest of the club, Texas has a split record of 12-12 with two ties through roughly four weeks of Cactus League games, and the Rangers also rank near the middle of the pack in both team batting average (.274) and ERA (4.59).

Depending on how many pitchers Texas carries to begin the season, there could be up to three bench spots yet to be claimed, with Jim Adduci, Jeff Baker, Julio Borbon, Leury Garcia, Jurickson Profar and Yangervis Solarte still in the hunt.

Spring Roster Trimmed by Thirteen

On Tuesday, the club brought the number of players on its current spring roster down to 45 by announcing 13 in-house transactions, sending four players to Triple-A Round Rock and reassigning nine others to minor-league camp.

The biggest name of those optioned to Triple-A was infield prospect Mike Olt, who endured a subpar Cactus League season with just six hits in 31 at-bats (.194) and a team-worst 12 strikeouts. Also sent to Round Rock were left-handed pitcher Jeff Beliveau, outfielder Engel Beltre and right-hander Wilmer Font.

Before Tuesday’s game against the Cubs, the Rangers reassigned eight players to their minor-league camp, then did the same with outfielder Aaron Cunningham after the game.

The original eight included left-hander Neal Cotts, right-handers Collin Balester, Evan Meek and Yoshinori Tateyama, catchers Juan Apodaca and Jose Felix and infielders Brandon Allen and Brandon Snyder.

McClellan Sidelined by Lat Injury

Right-handed pitcher Kyle McClellan was supposed to get his second start of the spring on Sunday against the Mariners, but it was announced Saturday that he had instead been diagnosed with a strained lat muscle in his throwing shoulder.

Making an outside bid to claim a spot in the Rangers’ bullpen or rotation, the 28-year-old McClellan had already missed the first three weeks of camp while rehabbing from a season-ending shoulder procedure last July with the Cardinals.

“Kyle will remain in camp … and he wants to stay part of this franchise moving forward,” assistant GM Thad Levine said. “We anticipate him to rehab with us and make an impact with us, just maybe a little bit later than we anticipated.”

McClellan, who tossed two scoreless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers in his only Cactus League outing this spring, is not expected to resume throwing for up to a month.

Rangers Notes: Cactus League Update No. 2

Infielder Jeff Baker (top) is enjoying a solid spring thus far, leading the club with 18 hits and 10 runs scored.

More than one month into full-squad spring training action, Texas has most of its everyday position players and starting pitchers in place, with just a few roster spots still up for grabs in the coming weeks.

The Rangers’ regular infield will consist of first baseman Mitch Moreland, second baseman Ian Kinsler, third baseman Adrian Beltre and shortstop Elvis Andrus. But beyond those four, no clear-cut candidate has emerged to claim the team’s reserve infielder role.

Non-roster invitee Jeff Baker has performed well in a Texas uniform so far, batting at a .529 clip (18-for-34) over 15 games while tying for the club lead with 10 runs scored and four doubles. Top-rated prospect Jurickson Profar, on the other hand, has just eight hits in 36 Cactus League at-bats this spring, and he and Mike Olt have combined for 20 strikeouts against 10 walks.

Switch-hitter Yangervis Solarte has received starts and played errorless ball at second, third and shortstop, and a pair of Brandons (Allen and Snyder) have each logged a sizeable number of innings behind Moreland at first base.

Following Josh Hamilton’s departure via free agency, David Murphy looks to settle in as the Rangers’ everyday left fielder, while Nelson Cruz — who is currently playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic — appears likely to remain the starting right fielder.

Craig Gentry and Leonys Martin have shared much of the playing time in center field for Texas this spring, with the more seasoned Julio Borbon hoping for another chance to make the big-league roster. Borbon is out of options and would have to clear waivers in order to be sent back to Triple-A Round Rock.

Despite being scratched from his scheduled start against the Padres last Saturday because of an inflamed toe, left-hander Matt Harrison is still penciled into the Rangers’ starting rotation to begin the season, and he could be a favorite to get the ball on Opening Day.

Second-year righty Yu Darvish would be another candidate to get the Opening Day start in Houston, while Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando figure to round out the middle of the Texas rotation.

Ryan Issues Brief Statement

On Sunday, chief executive officer Nolan Ryan made his first public remarks since the recent promotion of Jon Daniels to president of baseball operations, saying very little but seeming to indicate a desire to remain with the team.

“Over the last week, [owners] Ray Davis, Bob Simpson and I have been in discussion and met in-person,” Ryan’s statement read. “The conversations have been productive, and we have discussed my role as CEO of the organization. We agreed these discussions will continue as we go forward.

“I am very proud of what the Rangers have accomplished over the last several years, and I believe our preparations for the upcoming season are what is important.”

Eight Sent to Minor-League Camp

The ballclub on Tuesday sent outfielder Joey Butler and pitchers Jake Brigham, Justin Miller and Neil Ramirez to the Texas minor-league camp.

Earlier this month, four right-handers were also reassigned to the minors, among them Cody Buckel — the organization’s 2012 Minor-League Pitcher of the Year — as well as Roman Mendez, Yonata Ortega and Matt West.

On the flip side, right-handed relievers Lisalverto Bonilla and Ben Rowen were both promoted to the Rangers’ big-league camp this week, where they will hope to take advantage of an unsettled bullpen situation.

Rangers Notes: Cactus League Update No. 1

Yu Darvish threw two perfect innings Tuesday in his spring debut against the White Sox.

Despite winning just one of its first seven Cactus League games this spring (plus one tie), Texas remains focused on the positive aspects of camp and the progress of young players hoping to earn a spot on the club’s roster.

Making his bid to become the Rangers’ everyday center fielder, Leonys Martin is batting .412 with a team-high seven hits and two triples through a week’s worth of games, and right-hander Cory Burns has not allowed a run across three relief appearances.

Left-handed prospect Martin Perez, a candidate for the fifth spot in the Texas rotation, struck out two batters in his two perfect innings of work on Monday.

Other internal options to become the fifth starter include southpaw Robbie Ross and right-handers Justin Grimm and Randy Wells. In a breakout rookie campaign last season, Ross posted a 6-0 record over 65 innings pitched with 47 strikeouts against 23 walks.

“His aggressiveness is back,” manager Ron Washington said of Ross. “He’s using his changeup more and he’s starting to use his slider. He has to rely on more pitches because he’s trying to be a starter. He wants to be a starter and he’s doing everything he can to win that spot.”

Another ongoing competition has been for the role of the Rangers’ utility infielder, with veteran Jeff Baker and switch-hitting prospect Yangervis Solarte making the strongest impressions to this point in camp.

Like most springs, the first week of exhibition games has also yielded some particularly ugly results, as is the case with non-roster invitee Cody Buckel.

Pitching in relief of Yu Darvish Tuesday versus Chicago, Buckel issued five walks in just one-third of an inning and yielded four earned runs (six total) for a 108.00 ERA. On the bright side, the 20-year-old Buckel did not allow a hit.

And on the injury front, right-hander Kyle McClellan is dealing with back and shoulder soreness as he tries to recover from an operation performed on his throwing shoulder last July. McClellan, who spent the past five seasons with St. Louis, may be ready to throw a bullpen session later this weekend.

Berkman Singles in Rangers Debut

Designated hitter Lance Berkman is continuing to work his way back from a right calf injury, and he went 1-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored in his Cactus League debut Thursday against the Indians.

Berkman, 37, logged just 81 at-bats for the Cardinals last year, and the six-time All-Star is optimistic about putting past issues behind him and making regular contributions as the projected No. 3 hitter in Texas’ lineup.

“It was good to get the first one out of the way,” Berkman said. “Hopefully I can get into a rhythm of playing; the timing will come and I’ll be in good shape going into the season.”

The longtime Houston Astro will likely get an off day Friday, but he is expected to return to the Rangers’ lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Texas Participants Depart for WBC

The club will be without at least seven players beginning this weekend as they leave Arizona to join their respective countries for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, which gets underway on Friday.

The participants from Texas’s camp will be shortstop Elvis Andrus (Venezuela), outfielder Engel Beltre (Spain), outfielder Nelson Cruz (Dominican Republic), catcher Jose Felix (Mexico), infielder Leury Garcia (Dominican Republic), left-hander Derek Holland (United States) and minor-leaguer Gabe Suarez (Mexico).

Third baseman Adrian Beltre had been on the Dominican Republic’s initial roster, but he will skip the first round while dealing with a slight strain in his right calf muscle. Top prospect Jurickson Profar, meanwhile, recently chose not to play for the Netherlands in the Classic.

Rangers Notes: Texas Set with Pierzynski at Catcher

Backstop A.J. Pierzynski, a two-time American League All-Star, has caught an average of more than 130 games per season since 2001.

As the Rangers wrap up their first full week of spring training workouts in Surprise, Ariz., the club is counting on a luxury it has not enjoyed in over a decade — that being a bona fide everyday catcher with significant big-league service time under his belt.

Texas signed veteran A.J. Pierzynski to a one-year deal in late December, and the team is hoping he can help serve as a guide to a relatively young pitching staff while providing durability at the catcher position, an asset unfamiliar to Rangers rosters of recent memory.

Pierzynski has averaged over 130 games caught per year across the past 12 seasons, spending his entire career in the American League Central division aside from a one-year stint with San Francisco in 2004.

By contrast, no Texas backstop has caught as many as 120 games in a season since Rodriguez did so in 1999, when he also batted .332 and took home the A.L. Most Valuable Player award.

“[Pierzynski] knows the game, and he knows the league,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “I’m excited to have him, really. Plus, he’s a winning player. And he’s fiery. That’s going to be huge, because that’s the type of game we want to play.”

Geovany Soto (who split catching duties with Mike Napoli for the final two months of 2012) had been tentatively penciled in as the club’s starting catcher before Pierzynski signed over the winter, meaning Soto will now shift into a backup role to begin the season.

As for Pierzynski, the 36-year-old is becoming familiar with his new battery mates in Surprise while looking forward to serving as a stabilizing force with his everyday presence behind the plate.

“I hope it leads to continuity,” he said. “I take a lot of pride in going out there every day and playing. It allows you to have a better game plan on how you’re going to attack a certain team.”

Profar to Skip World Baseball Classic

Infield prospect Jurickson Profar has said that he will forgo playing for the Netherlands in this spring’s World Baseball Classic, instead opting to stay in camp with the Rangers while trying to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Profar had initially told the organization he would not participate in the Classic, only to indicate days later that he was having second thoughts about his choice.

“We left the decision up to [Profar],” Texas general manager Jon Daniels said. “He understands the landscape and the situation. He communicated to us he wants to put himself in the best position to make the club.

“This is something he wrestled with. We’re going to let it play out over the course of the spring. We didn’t want to pressure him. He made the call on his own.”

In addition, third baseman Adrian Beltre will skip the first round of the WBC due to soreness in his calf muscle, but he could join the Dominican Republic team if it advances to the next round.

Club Completes 40-Man Roster Signings

The Rangers have all 40 members of their big-league roster under contract for the upcoming season after agreeing to one-year deals with a handful of pre-arbitration eligible players this week.

Texas signed 11 players to one-year contracts on Monday, among them Jurickson Profar, first baseman Mitch Moreland and right-hander Alexi Ogando.

Also agreeing to terms with the team Monday were infielder Leury Garcia as well as pitchers Wilmer Font, Roman Mendez, Joe Ortiz, Martin Perez, Tanner Scheppers, Matt West and Coty Woods.

On Wednesday, the Rangers wrapped up their active roster signings by coming to terms with right-hander Josh Lindblom and outfielders Engel Beltre, Julio Borbon and Craig Gentry on contracts for the 2013 season.

Rangers Notes: Profar Out to Prove Worth as Camp Begins

After a brief big-league introduction last season, infielder Jurickson Profar is poised to compete for a regular role on the club this spring.

The Rangers assembled for their 11^th spring training under the desert sun this week, with pitchers and catchers reporting to the team’s facilities in Surprise, Ariz., on Tuesday and the first full-squad workout scheduled for Saturday.

Perhaps no player enters camp with more lofty expectations than infield prospect Jurickson Profar, the Curacao native who turns 20 next Wednesday. While Profar is a natural middle infielder, shortstop and second base are currently manned by All-Stars Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler, respectively.

“Our stance with Jurickson is if he demonstrates he’s one of our best 25 and maybe one of our best nine,” Texas general manager Jon Daniels said, “if we’re convinced he can make an impact on the team and continue his progress, we’ll be open-minded.”

Considered by many to be the top overall prospect in Major League Baseball, Profar’s playing time in Cactus League games will be determined in part by a decision he has yet to make — that being whether or not to participate in this year’s World Baseball Classic as a representative of the Netherlands.

Although Profar had recently indicated he would skip the Classic and instead devote a full spring toward trying to make the Rangers’ roster, he has since acknowledged that he won’t make a final choice on the matter until after reporting to camp this week.

Other than 17 big-league at-bats with Texas last September, Profar has never played above Double-A in the minors, and opinion seems split over whether he could benefit from some experience playing every day at Triple-A Round Rock.

In order for Profar to be a regular in the Rangers’ lineup, either he or Ian Kinsler would likely have to play out of position while the other starts at second base, though manager Ron Washington has said that Profar will stay in the infield for the time being.

“He’s going to come in and work on the infield. … I have no intentions on him playing the outfield,” Washington said. “I hope we can just keep this young kid focused on where he can best go.”

Texas Counting on Cruz in Right

The team expects to begin the season with Nelson Cruz as its everyday right fielder, Jon Daniels said last Friday, despite MLB’s ongoing investigation into a Miami newspaper story naming Cruz and several other players as clients in a performance-enhancing drug ring.

According to the Miami New Times report, some other names linked to Biogenesis, a South Florida anti-aging clinic, are Ryan Braun, Melky Cabrera, Gio Gonzalez and Alex Rodriguez.

“Our expectation is that Nellie is our right fielder,” Daniels said. “Until we hear otherwise, nothing fancy about it. That’s just the truth.”

Last year, in his first full big-league season not hampered by injury, Cruz batted just .260 for Texas but drove in a career-best 90 runs while hitting 24 homers and a team-high 45 doubles.

Bourn to Tribe, Upton to Braves

Should Cruz draw a suspension from Major League Baseball, the Rangers can no longer look to outfielders Michael Bourn or Justin Upton as a potential replacement.

The 25-year-old Upton was dealt from Arizona to Atlanta late last month in a seven-player trade that also sent third baseman Chris Johnson to the Braves and infielder Martin Prado to the Diamondbacks.

Upton will be joined in the Braves’ lineup by his older brother B.J., who had been a free-agent target of Texas early in the offseason before signing a five-year deal with Atlanta.

As for Bourn, the two-time National League All-Star agreed to a four-year contract with the Cleveland Indians on Monday that will pay him $48 million over the course of the deal.