SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers right-handed reliever Mike Adams will take today off from throwing and then resume with a bullpen session (and probably throwing some to hitters too) on Tuesday. He said he's slated to make his Cactus League debut Friday in Surprise against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Adams said he's been pitching pain-free, but is still playing catch-up because he wasn't able to throw any bullpen sessions before arriving in Surprise after rehabbing from hernia surgery.

"I'm still not completely where I want to be, but I'm not far off," Adams said. "It's mainly building up arm strength."

Adams admitted that he had some fatigue issues late last season and felt some pain in his back, which led to the surgery. Now that he's healthy, he wants to show he can be a consistent and important late-inning bullpen piece. Adams was 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA in 48 games for the San Diego Padres. He came to Texas at the trade deadline (for prospects LHP Robbie Erlin and RHP Joe Wieland) and was 2-3 with a 2.10 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs in 8 1/3 innings in the postseason.

"I'm getting my work in and making sure I'm where I need to be," Adams said. "I don't have any pain and that's the main thing."