REMINDER: We'll be chatting live during Tuesday's game against the Cubs starting at 3 p.m. CT. Visit ESPNDallas.com to join in.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- It was a late day with the night game, but the Rangers still got their workouts in during the afternoon and some game action under the lights. Here were six issues from Monday's spring training day.

1. Rich Harden didn't quite make it four innings. But his velocity was up (90-92 mph consistently) and he's pleased with his progress so far this spring. Read more about his outing here.

2. Josh Hamilton got a scare when he was hit on the outside of his left hand, but preliminary X-Rays were negative and the club is calling it a contusion.

3. Meeting time. Jon Daniels held a meeting with his baseball operations staff. It was a chance to get everyone's evaluation of the spring so far and to get an idea of when they will need to make some roster decisions. The first cuts are expected to come this week (sending some players to the minor leagues). Click here for more.

4. Ian Kinsler. He chatted with the media Monday morning and said his ankle is getting better each day. But he's still in that 7-day window for a return and the Rangers aren't going to rush it. "I want to make sure I can rotate it by the time the season starts," Kinsler said. "It's getting better everyday." The club had some more injury updates as well.

5. Esteban German got a chance to play shortstop in Monday's game. It was his third or fourth stint in mop-up duty. That's important because the Rangers have said that the priority for a utility infielder is the ability to play short. German made a nice diving stop to his right and then spun around and threw the ball to second to get a force out. He has hit well this spring and is certainly in the running as an internal candidate for that spot. Plenty of other game observations can be found here.

6. B game fever. It's taken the Rangers' complex by storm. Texas faces Kansas City (on the KC side of the facility) in a B game at noon Dallas time on Tuesday. Scheduled pitchers: RHP Luis Mendoza, RHP Guillermo Moscoso, RHP Omar Beltre, RHP Edwar Ramirez. Random note: Rusty Greer and Mark McLemore are in camp as special instructors.

6a. In case you missed it: I did a story on Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, who is using experience and humor to help mold this pitching staff. Also, check out T.R. Sullivan's story on the cut fastball on MLB.com. It's a good read.