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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Rangers made a handful of roster moves today. Among them:

* RHP Dustin Nippert was reinstated off 15-day disabled list.

* C Taylor Teagarden was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, giving the Rangers a third catcher.

* LHP Clay Rapada's contract was purchased from Triple-A Oklahoma City, adding another lefty to the Rangers bullpen.

* RHP Omar Beltre recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed on 60-day disabled list with a right ankle sprain.

* OF Brandon Boggs cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Rangers were expected to get Teagarden back up here as soon as his 10-day assignment in the minors was up. That gives manager Ron Washington some more roster flexibility and some insurance at an important position. Teagarden had played much better in his second stint in the majors after going to Double-A Frisco for part of the season to get his swing figured out.

Texas wanted another left-handed bullpen option for September, so Clay Rapada gets the call. Whenever the 29-year-old gets into a game, it will be his first in the majors. He spent all of 2010 with Oklahoma City, going 1-2 with two saves and a 1.82 ERA in 50 relief appearances. Opposing PCL batters hit just .158 against him and that stat got even better against left-handed hitters (.120). So he could be a good situational lefty when needed. Moving Beltre to the 60-day creates the roster space to get Rapada on the 40-man.

Nippert, of course, gives Texas another experienced long man.

The Rangers' 40-man roster remains full at this time.

KANSAS CITY -- The Rangers have activated Nelson Cruz off the disabled list, as expected. To make room for him, they've optioned outfielder Brandon Boggs to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The club has also recalled outfielder Craig Gentry and placed him on the 15-day disabled list. He broke his wrist a few weeks ago, but if he heals OK, he could be a valuable pinch runner late in games. He's another DL player on the roster as well, which is one more spot the Rangers would have in terms of a pool of players to choose from for the postseason.

Cruz is hitting .320 with 16 homers and 64 RBI in 77 games for the Rangers this season. He has missed more than one-third of the season with three different disabled list stints, all for hamstring issues. He's returning from a strained right hamstring suffered while running the bases Aug. 14 against the Red Sox.

Cruz was 4-for-11 with a double a walk and an RBI in three rehab games for Double-A Frisco last week. He has reached base safely in 29 of his last 30 games for the Rangers entering tonight's game.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers placed pitcher Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis, retroactive to Aug. 8.

Harden was slated to start at Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The club has not announced a new starter. Brandon Boggs was recalled and is in uniform for today's game againt the Red Sox. Matt Harrison could be moved up from the bullpen or Derek Holland, who has been on a rehab assigment, could also get his shot. Scott Feldman would also be available to start, but he has not pitched well out of the bullpen since losing his spot in the rotation.

Harden is expected to make a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City on a limited pitch count. The right-hander went just 2 1/3 innings in his last start. After being scheduled to start Saturday's game against Boston, he was pushed back to Tuesday.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nelson Cruz said he still feels tightness in his left hamstring, but he hopes play tomorrow at Tampa Bay. However, Rangers manager Ron Washington is taking a more cautious approach after Nelson limped off the field Saturday night.

Nelson will have a precautionary MRI exam Monday, although he seemed confident that he will not make a third trip to the disabled list this season due to another hamstring problem. He has been sidelined previously by a strained in each hamstring. He said he felt tightness prior to Saturday's game and especially so as he legged out a triple.

"I feel good," he said Sunday morning. "I don't feel anything, but I don't want to take a chance today."

Washington might not want to take a chance starting Monday when the Rangers begin a three-game series on the artificial turf at Tampa's Tropicana Field.

"His strength is better today than it was when he left last night, but once again we're talking hamstring and we're going to make sure that this thing don't get worse," Washington said. "So we definitely have to make a decision. We're just going to wait for the medical staff to finish their evaluation on everything and see what happens."

The turf makes Washington leery.

"It weighs in that we have to be careful as far as him playing there goes. He's such a valuable asset that we've got to watch it."

Mitch Moreland will handle right field today. He's played first base since joining the club, but played more right field than first base in the minors.

*Also, the Rangers have called up outfielder Brandon Boggs. The club has yet to announce a roster move to make room for Boggs.

OF Brandon Boggs, OKC - The lack of a quality right-handed bat available to pinch hit for the soft underbelly of the Rangers lineup was apparent once again last night, and one internal candidate to fill that role could be Boggs. Finally healthy, Boggs has caught fire recently (.333/.419/.667 since May 24) and offers the patient approach (29 BB in 185 PA) that the club can use more of. He is a switch hitter and has been merely decent from the right side (.286/.342/.429), but the sample is just 35 AB, and Boggs has a solid history against lefties.

RHP Omar Beltre, OKC - Beltre has taken to the rotation. After making nine relief appearances and two short starts, struggling with walks (15 in 18.2 IP), he has found his game as a starter. In his two full fledged starts, he has walked just one and struck out 11 in 11 innings. His six inning outing Wednesday was the longest of his season, and he allowed two runs and a walk while striking out six. With his strong arm and solid repertoire, including strikeout pitches and the ability to induce ground balls with his sinker, Beltre may actually be an interesting candidate to help the rotation later this season, as opposed to jockeying with the likes of Alexi Ogando and Pedro Strop for an opportunity in the pen. Check out this piece from MLB.com with pitching coach Terry Clark discussing Beltre, Ogando and Tanner Scheppers.

RHP Wilmer Font, Bakersfield - Speaking of taking to a new, more difficult situation, Wilmer Font has jumped from the friendly confines of Hickory, where he spent all of last season and where his youth isn’t all that unusual, to the unforgiving California League, where he is once again much younger than most of his teammates and opponents. Organizations are often tempted to just skip their better, younger pitching prospects past the Cal League to save them the frustration of pitching in tiny parks and, in some cases, high winds blowing balls out for home runs. Font’s first start at this level was a nightmare. He lasted just two innings and allowed four hits, five walks and six runs in his his Bakersfield debut. He has since dominated. His second start was a masterpiece (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K), and Monday he was almost as good, going seven again and allowing one run on three hits and two walks, striking out six. He had turned 20 just a week earlier. Font has as much upside as any pitcher in the system not named Scheppers, so more of this kind of step forward would be potentially the biggest development in this system this season.

OF Engel Beltre, Bakersfield - Here’s another quality prospect who is handling the Cal League at age 20, and boy has he handled it lately. He finally broke his long walkless streak Tuesday, and he’s homered twice this week. In his last five games he’s 10-22, moving his season line to .308/.359/.453. To repeat my recent theme, he’s still far from a finished product, and there will be more growing pains, particularly as he continues to fight his nature and mature in his approach at the plate. But he’s having success in a full season league for the first time in his career, and that’s exciting. Beltre's most recent home run, his subsequent antics, and the response from the opposition have attracted national attention.

LHP Robbie Ross, Hickory - Ross and fellow smallish lefty Robbie Erlin have tortured SAL hitters all season, but Ross has really kicked it up a notch on his end of late. A dominating masterpiece Tuesday where he allowed just one hit (to his first batter) and no walks in eight innings was his third straight shutout appearance, all lasting at least seven innings. In fact, a May 16 start where he struggled, allowing 10 hits and four runs in 5.2 is the only start in his last seven where he has allowed a single run or failed to complete six innings. He is an absolute ground ball machine, and his location just keeps getting better.

RHP Tanner Scheppers, OKC - Scheppers has now made two appearances in Triple-A, and the level does appear to be providing him with more of a legitimate challenge than the Texas League could offer him. The Rangers reportedly do intend to stretch Scheppers out and allow him to throw three and eventually four innings per appearance, rather than the two that he has typically thrown so far this season. Both of his appearances for OKC have been two innings in length, however, and he’s allowed four hits, three walks and a home run in those four innings. He has struck out six and has induced more ground balls so far. How Scheppers progresses at this level could play a role in how the Rangers approach their pitching personnel this summer, so he bears continued close watching.

RHP Carlos Pimentel, Bakersfield - Pimentel will always be overlooked as a prospect in the Texas organization, because he does everything well but doesn’t leap off the page via scouting or statistical analysis. That doesn’t mean that he won’t be a major league pitcher. He has moved a level per year since signing as a 16 year old out of the Dominican Republic and had his best season as a pro for Hickory in 2009, pitching 123 innings and posting 101:35 K:BB while allowing 15 home runs. He will pitch this entire season at age 20, and while his ratio is down to 21:10, he is holding his own in a very difficult pitchers league at a young age. He had his best Cal League start Sunday, lasting seven innings (his previous best was 5.1), allowed no runs on four hits and no walks, and struck out three.

RHP Matt Thompson, Hickory - Thompson topped himself on Friday, throwing 6.2 innings, striking out nine and walking one, while maintaining his superlative ground ball rate and allowing just four hits and a run. His 38:6 K:BB ratio for the season is among the best in baseball, and he’s beginning to catch the attention of scouts outside of the organization. Thompson looks like a prototypical Twins pitching prospect, something that could be said about few Rangers arms over the years.

RHP Cody Eppley, Bakersfield - Speaking of looking statistically like a Twins prospect, this guy has posted K:BB numbers that are unmatched in this organization. He was a 43^rd round pick in 2008 out of Virginia Commonwealth, so he has flown way under the radar outside of the most interested circles, but he had posted a 113:10 ratio in 95 pro innings leading into this year and has somehow improved on that with a 21:1 in 16 High A innings. He has also improved the rest of his stat line, allowing just eight hits and posting an imposing 4.4 GO:AO, both about twice as good as his 2009 numbers. He uses a low arm angle and will have to prove himself against lefties at higher levels, as the small bit of success against him this season has come from the left side. The Frisco bullpen is crowded, but Eppley and Hickory closer Josh Lueke are two interesting names who could be pitching locally later this season.

OF Brandon Boggs, OKC - He’s slowed down (zero for his last 13), but provides an intriguing option as the year goes on if he can continue his early season performance: .282/.398/.526, 15BB:21SO
RHP Tommy Hunter, OKC - Hunter is back in a rotation and has allowed seven baserunners in seven innings but struck out just one.
RHP Alexi Ogando, Frisco - All in all he's been solid in the pen (6 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 7 K) but does have a walk in his last three appearances.
RHP Blake Beavan, Frisco - With his start televised locally Sunday, those watching were treated to standard Beavan: three hits and a walk along with three strikeouts in six innings.
RHP Joe Wieland, Hickory - His last two starts haven’t produced stellar end results, but he has completed 13.2 innings, allowed just ten hits, and posted a 15:2 K:BB.
OF Miguel Velazquez, Hickory - The Velazquez train rolls on, with six more hits over the weekend. He’s at .342/.415/.614 for the season and should be on the verge of a promotion.

RHPs Tanner Scheppers & Alexi Ogando, Frisco - 21.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 33 K, 0.83 ERA. That's their combined line so far this season. Thursday night, just three weeks into the season, they each pitched one inning of relief on shorter rest than their previous schedules. As has been said here repeatedly, they are clearly too good for Double-A, particularly in shorter stints, so a bit of an acceleration in plans shouldn't be a surprise. The Rangers have not commented on the intent behind the change in regimen, but this move speaks loudly on its own.

OF Miguel Velazquez, Hickory - One of the most promising position prospects in this system, Velazquez is really heating up at the plate. He has three of his four home runs in his last five games, ten hits in his last six games, and he's beginning to walk on a more consistent basis. For the season he is now hitting .309/.371/.580. Righties still give him some trouble, but his splits and line drive rates all look promising, and he has become one of the few hitters in the organization worthy of a daily box score check.

Nonprospect Triple-A Position Players - There are three key ones in OKC at this point - Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Chris Davis & Brandon Boggs - and all are hitting well, but when will they be able to help the Rangers? Saltalamacchia is on a seven game hitting streak, has three doubles and a home run this week, and is hitting .357/.424/.679 overall. The Rangers obviously have other reasons for keeping him in the minors. Davis joined OKC Saturday and immediately started hitting (8-18 in four games). For the moment he seems to be a great example of a 4A hitter. He is on his second of three options, so a hidden positive in the timing of swapping him for Justin Smoak is that he will have almost two entire seasons to make the sorts of adjustments that Nelson Cruz did in 2007 and 2008 before the Rangers are forced to make a decision on him. Boggs (.295/.380/.455) is healthy and heating up at the right time, with six hits (including four XBH) in his last three games, but he was passed over for Craig Gentry to replace Cruz this week.

RHP Braden Tullis, Hickory - Last summer's eighth round pick was one of the better pitchers in the college level Northwest League, as he succeeded in the magical combination of controlling the strike zone (64 K, 20 BB) and keeping balls on the ground (2.61 GO/AO). Promoted to a crowded Hickory staff this spring where good prospects like Wilmer Font, Joe Wieland and Neil Ramirez were left in the rotation, he began the season pitching in short stints and has been stretched to three innings. It would be a surprise if he doesn't make his way to a rotation at some point, as players move around and are injured, but in the mean time he's actually improving on those 2009 rates in full season ball. Through 14 innings his 13/3 K/BB and 3.83 stand out on the young staff, and he has the repertoire to deal with both left-handed and right-handed hitters.

RHP Blake Beavan, Frisco - Back in the saddle Thursday: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K, sat in the low 90s
LHP Robbie Ross, Hickory - Made his best start at the full season level Thursday: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, ten groundball outs
OF Engel Beltre, Bakersfield - While his teammates struck out 17 times Thursday, Beltre walked twice and singled. He still isn't hitting (.235/.288/.338) but a 4/10 BB/SO in 73 PA is a small step in the right direction.
LHP Derek Holland, OKC - Least dominant outing of the season Thursday but still no earned runs: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 8 K, 118 pitches (80 strikes), 29/6 K/BB for the season
LHP Kasey Kiker, Frisco - Repeating the Texas League, he still scuffles with his control. Five more walks Tuesday give him 15 in 20.0 innings on the season to go with a slew of hit batters.
RHP Matt Thompson, Hickory - Another 7K, 1 BB Monday move him to 23/4 with impressive ground ball rates. The Burleson native looks like a prospect, as Jason Parks detailed this week

The Frisco roster typifies the emphasis that the Texas organization has placed on pitching. All four of the highly ranked prospects and all three of the first round draft picks on the club are pitchers. The club has used those first rounders (on Kasey Kiker, Blake Beavan and Tanner Scheppers), one of its top international signing bonuses (on Martin Perez), a Rule 5 draft pick last November and another top signee in trade to keep the player (Ben Snyder), and five years of politics, effort and coaching to aid one (Alexi Ogando) in stepping foot in the U.S.A. once again.

Conversely, though the Rangers may bristle at this suggestion, this is one of the softest Double-A squads positionally that the organization has fielded, particularly since the affiliation moved to Frisco. The catchers are all organizational soldiers, a rarity in a Jon Daniels organization. The infield boasts Marcus Lemon and Johnny Whittleman, two highly drafted players who are still young and still have real chances of becoming major league players at some point, and Renny Osuna, who has seen professional success at times. Joey Butler is another player worth watching, as he has enjoyed a quiet rise through the organization reminiscent of Brandon Boggs and Craig Gentry. Local native Wes Bankston, a former major leaguer with Oakland, gives Riders fans a good corner bat to cheer for.

Five players to watch:

Martin Perez: The perfect example of a pitching prodigy, Perez combines top notch physical talent with a Type A personality and excellent pitching acumen. He just turned 19 and already has a Double-A cameo under his belt. Martin is simply too young and important for the Rangers to allow themselves to overextend him into a major league role this year, but he is one of the most important players in the organization, including major leaguers, and his year will be one of the most talked about in baseball among minor league observers.

Johnny Whittleman: He did not show up on any top prospect lists this winter after his worst season since his first full year in pro ball. After that disappointing Low A performance, he repeated the level in 2007 and put himself back on the radar. If he can duplicate that feat in his second Double-A season, at 23 he is still age appropriate and could return to relevance again. Whittleman arrived at spring training wowing observers with added strength, but we will have to wait and see how that translates in terms of performance.

Alexi Ogando: He is the most mysterious top prospect in an organization with several. The Rangers selected him from Oakland in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft and converted him from an angular outfielder to a relief pitcher. He has not pitched an official inning in the U.S., nor has he played any level of full season ball even as a position player, but he begins this season two levels - and maybe only a few months - away from the majors. Ogando has mid-upper 90s velocity, solid movement on his fastball, and much better secondary offerings than most realized. His offspeed pitches and command have been inconsistent this spring, but his promise as a high octane reliever is obvious. Texas will apparently start him in the rotation, using him in shorts stints, but allowing him extra innings to make up for some lost time against quality competition. I may be overreaching by calling him a potential impact option for the back end of the pen, but indications are that time and consistency are all that hold him back.

Tanner Scheppers: He had not pitched for long as an amateur and he has yet to throw a pitch in a regular-season game, so while there is injury risk attached, Scheppers is a fresh, explosive arm. Texas has not made a secret of hopes that he could be a player in the bullpen later this season. To that end, they will use Scheppers sparingly early to conserve innings. Though the club sees him as a starter beyond this season, he apparently will be used in regular intervals out of the pen early on. To summarize, Ogando: long term reliever, short term starter; Scheppers: long term starter, short term reliever - both with the goal of preparing them for use in the pen as quickly as possible. Scheppers’ stuff is absolutely electric; he and Perez are two terrific reasons to make the trek to Frisco early this season.

Marcus Lemon: Possibly the most divisive talent in the system, Lemon began 2009 on fire but then struggled to a .262/.327/.333 final line as a 20/21 year old in Double-A. He has an advanced approach at the plate, but he hasn’t been strong enough to take advantage of that. He is filling out his frame, so there is hope for an offensive jump that could vault him to the top of the heap among full season middle infield prospects in the organization. Scouts don’t love Lemon’s defense, as he is limited by less than top end physical attributes. Still just 21, he will still be young for this level, but he is only two steps away from the majors and could give Texas a viable offensively oriented utility type, an area in which the Angels have specialized and the Rangers have struggled.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- I didn't get a chance to see Tuesday's B game between the Rangers and Royals, but I did receive a box score (thanks to Court at the Rangers' PR office). A few notes from that:

* Toby Hall was the DH and was 2-for-3 with a run scored. He told me that he's been pleased with his swing, which he says is improving every day. He's supposed to throw to second base this week. Once he feels comfortable with that, he should be ready to catch in games (and build up his endurance).

* Max Ramirez was the catcher and was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Manager Ron Washington mentioned on Monday that Ramirez's defense is improving and he likes what he sees behind the plate. If Ramirez can hit and get acclimated with first base, he's still a possibility to make this club.

* LF Brandon Boggs was 2-for-3 with five RBIs that included a home run. Boggs (knee) is not limited any more. We should see him in an "A" game soon.

* RHP Luis Mendoza gave up one run on five hits with two walks and a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings pitched. Willie Eyre pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout. Pedro Strop gave up two runs on two hits (including a homer) in his lone inning. And Guillermo Moscoso got the save in the Rangers' win, pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings (he had two strikeouts and a walk).

The Rangers will face the Brewers in a B game at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. Texas has a night game in Surprise at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday and one in Peoria tonight at 7:05.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Josh Hamilton was hit on his left hand by a pitch from Madison Bumgarner in the third inning. The initial report from the training room is that it's a contusion on the outside of his left hand. Initial X-rays were negative and he'll be evaluated further on Tuesday.

Hamilton grabbed the hand and trainer Jamie Reed came out to take a look. Hamilton seemed to want to shake it off and stay in the game, but was lifted for Brandon Boggs.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- It was a late start to the day because of a night game here in Surprise between the Rangers and Giants. But here are a few notes from the clubhouse:

* 2B Ian Kinsler said he is "progressing smoothly" right now with his right high ankle sprain. Of course, that means he's doing very little in the way of baseball activity. He did say he was going to throw today to keep his arm strength up. But he's doing some fast walking, but not running and basically taking it easy to make sure it's completely healed before he returns. "I want to make sure I can rotate it by the time the season starts," Kinsler said. "It's getting better everyday." Kinsler didn't put a timetable on a return, but the Rangers said he's still looking at that 7-day window. Stay tuned.

* Michael Kirkman said he's fine and has been cleared to resume baseball activities after a line drive hit him in the ear. Kirkman said he knew he was OK when he was walking back behind the mound and only felt a little ringing in his ear. "The ball bounced in the dirt and came at me quick," Kirkman said. "If that's anywhere besides the desert, I'm not sure it isn't just a ground ball back to the mound that I field."

* OF Brandon Boggs (shoulder) has no limitations and RHP Warner Madrigal (forearm soreness) is still scheduled to have an MRI today with the results coming tomorrow.

* The Rangers have a "B" game on Tuesday and Luis Mendoza, Guillermo Moscoso, Omar Beltre and Edwar Ramirez are scheduled to pitch.

* RHP Neftali Feliz and LHP C.J. Wilson will pitch back-to-back in Mesa against the Cubs on Tuesday. Both are scheduled to pitch four innings. RHP Pedro Strop will pitch one inning after them.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is scheduled to catch in Glendale today, returning to game action after missing the last five games with soreness in right shoulder due to scar tissues breaking up.

Saltalamacchia was scratched from last Tuesday’s game with right shoulder soreness. It was determined that loose scar tissue has caused the pain.

He had surgery on the shoulder to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome on Sept. 21, 2009. He had a setback as he tried to play winter ball and was shut down from baseball activities for a month. He arrived in spring training ready to go and was progressing fine until last Tuesday’s soreness.

Saltalamacchia, 24, is vying for the starting catcher job on the Rangers. His main competition is Taylor Teagarden, who will start on Sunday in Surprise in the Rangers’ other game.

Other injury updates:

RHP Eric Hurley, who was put on the 60-day disabled list on Saturday, has what the club believes in a broken bone in his left wrist. He will see a hand specialist today. If it is broken, he'll have surgery and could be throwing again in 7 to 10 days (since it's not his throwing hand).

OF Endy Chavez (knee) is long tossing and has been cleared to hit on the field. He's still limited in terms of running drills, but he's making progress.

OF Brandon Boggs (shoulder) received an injection two days ago, which assistant general manager Thad Levine said wasn't unsual for someone following surgery. He's playing in games and is cleared to fully go hitting right-handed. The club wants him easing in to batting left-handed.

RHP Warner Madrigal (forearm sorness) will get an MRI on Monday because he's complained twice of forearm soreness.

2B Ian Kinsler (high ankle sprain) is getting treatment and is still looking at that 7-day window to try to return.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers pitcher Derek Holland walked into the clubhouse Sunday with no brace on his right knee and no visible limp.

Holland said he felt "way better" than he did on Saturday and received treatment. Rangers asssistant general manager Thad Levine said Holland is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday anyway.

"It's precautionary, but we feel it's smart to see what's in there," Levine said.

Other injury updates:

* OF Brandon Boggs has no limitations but hasn't yet tried sliding. That probably won't happen until the weather improves. It's not raining in Surprise, but it's very wet after a downpour last night.

* RHP Doug Mathis (cut on his finger) is supposed to throw a light bullpen session today.

* RHP Eric Hurley is throwing bullpens every three days and is scheduled to throw one on Monday.

* RHP Omar Beltre is expected to throw a bullpen today. He has not thrown to live hitters yet.

We'll try, as often as possible, to bring you six items of note at the end of each spring training day. Here's our Surprise Six from Thursday:

1. Catcher should be an interesting battle this spring. While Jarrod Saltalamacchia goes in as the favorite, he'll get some competition from Taylor Teagarden. I still think this is Saltalamacchia's job should he stay healthy, but Teagarden is focused and will get an opportunity. I think that's good for Saltalamacchia, who has had the job in the past, in part, because of lack of viable options. His attitude today was that he wants to seize the job. He didn't seem to be taking anything for granted. I think that's good. BTW, several bloggers weighed in on the catching situation: the DMN blog, Foul Territory and Lone Star Ball and TexasRangers.com are some of them.

2. All pitchers and catchers reported to camp. That's 31 pitchers and six catchers. The first official workout will be Friday morning. Read more about the staff and pitching coach Mike Maddux's thoughts here.

3. Some position players are also already here. David Murphy, Chris Davis, Justin Smoak, Brandon Boggs, Craig Gentry and Mitch Moreland were hitting in the cages today. I saw Davis throwing a football as part of his work on loosening up his arm. The first full squad workout is Feb. 24 (next Wednesday).

4. Maddux was pleased with how his pitchers looked today in terms of their offseason conditioning. They haven't had a full workout yet, but Maddux could tell they had been lifting weights and were ready to go.

5. The Rangers promoted Mike Daly to Director of International Scouting. Daly will be in charge of the daily operations of the club's Dominican Republic academy and work on broadening the Rangers' presence in Latin America. Daly has been a big part of the academy's success.

6. The Rangers are wearing new batting practice hats for spring training. What do you think?

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Nothing like starting off spring training with an injury report, right? But we'll give you a heads up on what's happened with the Ranger players who are injured as often as we can. Here's today's update:

* RHP Omar Beltre, who just arrived from the Dominican Republic a few days ago, experienced some discomfort in his shoulder a few months ago and the Rangers told him to be conservative. Dr. Keith Meister checked it out and there's no structural damage.

* OF Brandon Boggs, who had offseason surgery on his left shoulder (Bankhart Procedure), hasn't tested it sliding headfirst or diving in the outfield. But his throwing is fine and he's very close to being 100 percent.

* RHP Eric Hurley is also recovering from surgery (rotator cuff) and is up to two bullpen sessions a week. He's expected to throw on Friday.

* C Toby Hall, who had surgery on this throwing shoulder in May (Bankhart Procedure) is long tossing and probably 10 to 14 days behind schedule, according to assistant GM Thad Levine. But Hall is expected to be close to 100 percent by the time games start in March.