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With the Texas Rangers off to a 12-3 start, you are probably not eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next minor league prospect who can contribute at the major league level.

PODCAST
Triple-A Round Rock hitting coach Brant Brown talks about the team's start and the developments of Leonys Martin and Julio Borbon. Listen

However, it doesn't hurt to take a peek as to what is happening in the Rangers farm system. The name amongt position players that draws the most interest at Triple-A Round Rock should be outfielder Leonys Martin.

"Mechanically, there's a lot of things that he's cleaned up that allows him to be a little more efficient to the baseball and then mentally kind of easing in to the way we play, the way things are, and getting used to his comrades," Round Rock hitting coach Brant Brown said. "Obviously, the hot start has helped with confidence."

Brown was a Saturday morning guest on Rangers Magazine (ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM). Later that night in New Orleans, Martin went 2-for-3 with a double, a two-run home run and three RBIs. He also walked once. The home run was his third of the season, and his batting average is up to .359.

Brown also coached Martin last season for 29 games at Double-A Frisco, where Martin batted .348 with four home runs and 24 RBI. He was promoted to Round Rock on July 9. On the field, Brown saw Martin last year make just one error in 71 outfield chances.

"I think the best thing about him is his arm, of course," said Brown, a former major league outfielder for the Cubs, Pirates and Marlins. "I think lateral movement and movement back and forth ... I think we can always improve on that. I believe that he knows that. His energy levels have been a lot better than they were last year. We are just hoping to see more consistency from that aspect."

Brown also discussed his own transition from being the hitting coach at Double-A Frisco to being at Round Rock, Julio Borbon, and working with Mike Bianucci and Tommy Mendonca.

The Rangers made some more roster decisions Monday, just as the club prepares to face Triple-A Round Rock. The moves, barring injury or trade, won't be made official until Wednesday.

PODCAST
Matt and Ian say Jason Terry can do no wrong in Randy's eyes when talking about contracts, but that Galloway is treating Josh Hamilton unfairly. Listen

Julio Borbon, who was battling for the center field spot, will be optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to get regular playing time.

Alberto Gonzalez has been named the club's utility infielder, beating out Luis Hernandez. Brandon Snyder, a longshot when he arrived in camp, has secured a bench spot along with center fielder Craig Gentry.

Gentry, a right-handed hitter, will likely get playing time in center against lefties, with Josh Hamilton shifting over to left. Against right-handers, Hamilton should get the majority of time in center with David Murphy in left.

"We decided to keep Gentry over Borbon because Gentry is a right-handed hitter and we needed his bat to mix and match," manager Ron Washington told The Associated Press. "Gonzales is staying with us because he has experience sitting around at the major league level and Hernandez needs to play every day."

Gonzalez, 28, was signed as a free agent in December after playing 102 games for the San Diego Padres in 2011. He was released at the end of the season and has 378 major league games (839 at-bats) in his career. He can play second, third and shortstop and has even played part of one big league game in right field, though he's an infielder for the Rangers.

Snyder, 25, was acquired for cash considerations in a trade with Baltimore on Jan. 3. He was a catcher his first few professional seasons but also played some third base. During spring training, Snyder played third and also got a few games as a corner outfielder. Washington said Sunday that he wasn't comfortable putting Snyder in the outfield for long durations at this point, but that with some more work with outfield coach Gary Pettis on reading and reacting to balls, he would be comfortable doing that in the future.

Snyder gives the club a right-handed bat and some flexibility in that he's the third catcher. Washington said he would be fine playing both Mike Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba in the same lineup and that Snyder could come in a catch for a few innings if needed should one of them get hurt.

The moves leave the club with one more decision: whether to put Yoshinori Tateyama (stiff back) on the disabled list. That seems likely and woulds set bullpen with Mark Lowe and Koji Uehara making it.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers left-handed pitcher Robbie Ross has made the club.

The 22-year-old has had a solid spring, impressing coaches with his maturity and a cutter that has broken bats and produced plenty of outs. Ross was the only left-handed reliever left in camp after Neal Cotts strained his left lat muscle. Cotts is expected to go 10 to 14 days without throwing.

Ross split the 2011 season between Class A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco. He was 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA in 123 1/3 innings at Myrtle Beach and 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 38 innings (six starts) for Double-A Frisco.

Other roster decisions loom:

* Yoshinori Tateyama has been dealing with a stiff back the past few days and is not pitching Sunday. Manager Ron Washington said it was a "possibility" Tateyama could start the season on the disabled list. If that's the case, than both Mark Lowe and Koji Uehara would be in the bullpen. (Tateyama also has options left).

* The Rangers will break camp with both Alberto Gonzalez and Luis Hernandez with them. They will choose one as a utility infielder but might not make that announcement until closer to when the rosters are due Wednesday morning.

* The club also has the other bench spot to figure out. They are still looking for a right-handed bat but are also sorting through Craig Gentry and Julio Borbon. Brandon Snyder is another right-handed bat still with the club. But Washington admitted that he isn't comfortable putting Snyder in left field right now. But he added that with some more work with coach Gary Pettis, Snyder would be ready out there.

* Snyder is also a third catcher and could give Washington some security in playing both Mike Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba in the same lineup at times. Washington said if a catcher got injured early in the game, he'd likely just lose the DH and play one of his regular catchers. But if it was the seventh inning or so, he could put Snyder in for two innings. That's if Snyder makes the club, of course. Again, nothing has been decided there yet.

When it comes to Josh Hamilton playing center field on a regular basis, Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels has maintained a consistent belief over the years that the bulk of Hamilton’s games should be played in left field in order to avoid the wear and tear on Hamilton’s body and get him through each season healthy. Has Daniels' stance on this topic softened?

PODCAST
Rangers general manger Jon Daniels talks about letting Josh Hamilton play center, Yu Darvish and more. Listen

“Yeah, it has,” Daniels said. “The bottom line is right now that’s our best team with him in center field. We want to get off to the best start we possibly can. My sense is that over the course of the year that other guys will work in there based on their own performances, but we do feel there’s a good chance that’s our best club. I know Wash hasn’t formally announced it yet, but you can tell by the lineups that he’s putting out there that’s getting strong consideration.”

Daniels said that Hamilton’s contract situation and the possibility of not re-signing with Texas has nothing to do with his change in mindset. Has the play of Julio Borbon and Craig Gentry this spring been disappointing to the point where it has factored into this decision process?

“We know what these guys are. I’m not big on riding the wave of spring training,” Daniels said. “We know what Julio is and what he can do. He’s a quality major league outfielder. Same with Craig. They both have strengths. They both have weaknesses. I don’t want to take anything away from Josh or David [Murphy], either. I mean, David’s had a really good spring. He’s improved his defense. He’s working on his approach against left-handers. Basically, we have some good options.”

Daniels was a guest on Rangers Magazine on Saturday morning on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM. He also discussed Yu Darvish, Robbie Ross, the bench, trade talk, Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt. Listen to the podcast.

Bryan Dolgin, the host of Rangers Baseball Tonight and Rangers Magazine, can be followed on Twitter: @RangersRadioBD.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- There are a few spots still left to be decided as the Rangers get closer and closer to Opening Day. For the purposes of the 25-man roster, that's 11 a.m. CT on Wednesday. That's when rosters must be set. Some of the decisions:

* Manager Ron Washington said there are no plans to carry just three bench players and go with an extra reliever. That was the case last year, but that was a special situation. So it's four spots on the bench. That includes:

-- Backup catcher
-- Fourth outfielder
-- Utility infielder
-- Someone else

It's that last spot that is one of the bigger questions. The club continues to look for a right-handed bat outside the organization (Toronto has some outfielders, so maybe someone like Ben Francisco could become available). But if they can't find one, the club could go with Brandon Snyder to start the season, though he's a novice in the outfield. It's also possible they could keep Julio Borbon, in addition to Gentry. But the club would prefer a right-handed bat.

* The Rangers are happy with both of their remaining utility infield candidates and aren't actively pursuing one on the open market, so it's between Alberto Gonzalez and Luis Hernandez. Washington was out on the back fields Friday working with Hernandez at shortstop. Hernandez made two really nice plays at short Thursday, but also had an errant throw. The skipper wanted to be sure Hernandez stayed aggressive on balls and got himself in the right position. It's a close battle.

* Left-handed relief is still not decided, though Robbie Ross continues to make a strong case. We know that Joe Nathan, Mike Adams, Scott Feldman and Alexi Ogando are in the bullpen. The last three spots remain up in the air. If the club goes with a lefty, why not Ross? The youngster has pitched well -- another two shutout innings Friday -- and they're building him up into a multi-inning guy and wouldn't just look at him as a situational lefty. And putting Ross on the roster would send a good signal to other prospects who would know that if they perform well, they might get a shot at some point, too. Neal Cotts and Michael Kirkman are also still in camp, but Kirkman has been inconsistent and it wouldn't hurt for Cotts to get some more time to keep building up his arm strength.

If one of the lefties gets a spot, that means someone is the odd-man out in the group of Koji Uehara, Yoshinori Tateyama and Mark Lowe. Tateyama still has an option, and Uehara and Lowe will be free agents after this season and could be trade bait. We'll see.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers outfielder Julio Borbon doesn't want to let one memorable play -- or the inability to make that play -- define his spring.

Those at Surprise Stadium, plus fans watching back in Texas, saw manager Ron Washington's animated chat with Borbon after the outfielder couldn't get a squeeze bunt down late in a game a few days ago. Borbon had two chances to put the bunt down and wasn't able to do the job. Washington's comments afterward showed his frustration.

But Borbon chalked it up to another lesson learned in his career. The 26-year-old knows he can't control what the club does with the final roster spots the next five days, but he can control playing better and trying to do the little things better.

"Decisions have to be made and I'll be understanding, whether they go one way or the other," Borbon said. "I just want to finish strong. I started that way and I think that can help me finish that way, too."

Borbon came into spring knowing that a good performance could earn him a spot on the 25-man roster. He played all of winter ball, and after an average regular season, Borbon played well in the winter ball playoffs. He came into spring in a groove and continued it with good at-bats and solid play in the outfield, where outfield coach Gary Pettis said he saw improvement.

But not unlike last spring, Borbon has still had some moments where he wasn't able to execute. He wasn't in the on-deck circle on time in a game near the end of spring last year and had some error-filled games. Overall, Borbon's 2012 spring has been much better, but he knows he must cut down on the mental mistakes and make sure he's able to do what's asked of him in critical situations (like the squeeze bunt).

"Sometimes, coming into the game as I have the last week or so without starting, it gets me to appreciate what it takes to come off the bench," Borbon said. "I'm not used to that. Even when you're aware of the game while you're on the bench you can get distracted by it, depending on the pace of the game. You have to focus on every step. Not just staring at the game, but staying with it.

"I've found myself a couple of times, depending on the score, not doing that enough. I need to re-group and focus on that better. Sometimes you might come into the game late and not expect to get an at-bat, but things change and you do. You have to be prepared."

He said his Wednesday night miscue was a reminder of that.

"I'm not looking for excuses," Borbon said. "I just want to get better, and for me I think that's focusing on every little thing I'm doing, whether it's late in a spring training game or in the regular season or whatever."

Borbon said he anaylzed what he did wrong and has done his best to move on. He notes that he's made some good plays this spring and done some things well and doesn't want to just think of only that one play.

"I know I can make that play," Borbon said. "I know I have to, but I'm not sitting here wondering if I can. I've done it many times and I know I can do it. The next time, I'm going to execute it as I've done before."

The outfield bench spot remains a decision looming for the Rangers, who must have the roster set Wednesday morning. It's possible that both Craig Gentry and Julio Borbon make the club. It's also possible that another bench player comes in a late-spring trade. The team is still looking for right-handed outfielders.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- It's yet another night game in Surprise for the Rangers, so that means players won't be arriving in the clubhouse until after lunch. So while we wait for that, here are a few thoughts:

* My bet is that the Rangers' utility infielder is still in camp. The club has kept an eye on other outside options, but so far it's between Alberto Gonzalez and Luis Hernandez. Both can play shortstop, a prerequisite to the job. Gonzalez had a good game Wednesday, collecting a couple of hits and nearly hitting a grand slam. He made all the defensive plays he needed to at short. Both players will get some more chances as spring winds down.

* The Rangers continue to search for a right-handed outfield bat for the bench. Craig Gentry could certainly still make this roster, but the club is looking at all options to give manager Ron Washington as much flexibility as possible with his roster. This is the time when clubs are finalizing their rosters and looking at options. It's possible that both Julio Borbon and Gentry make it, but we'll see.

* Some clubs have called the Rangers about bullpen pieces. Texas has four spots locked up: Scott Feldman, Alexi Ogando, Mike Adams and Joe Nathan. In a seven-man pen, that leaves three spots. One of those could be a left-handed role, with Robbie Ross, Neal Cotts and Michael Kirkman still in camp. Koji Uehara, Mark Lowe and Yoshinori Tateyama remain in the mix. But the Rangers do have extra arms, so if they wanted to make a move they could (Uehara and Lowe can be free agents after the season). They could trade either Uehara or Lowe or send Tateyama to the minors (he has an option left). Or they could keep all three and go without a left-handed reliever.

* As long as Neftali Feliz has a good bullpen session today and reports no issues with his stiff shoulder, the club is expected to announce the rotation this afternoon. The likely lineup: Colby Lewis, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Yu Darvish, Feliz (probably in that order as well). That puts Alexi Ogando and Scott Feldman in the bullpen.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington was not happy with Julio Borbon's inability to get a squeeze bunt down in the 10th inning of the Rangers' 7-6 win over the Kansas City Royals.

It's rare that you get an opportunity like that in a spring training game with a player at the plate that would need to do it at times in the regular season (should he make the club). So Washington tried to take advantage and put the squeeze play on. Borbon bunted the first pitch foul. After taking a ball, he bunted the 1-1 offering foul, as well, and eventually struck out with Matt Kata at third and one out.

Washington said sometimes the first attempt goes foul.

"The second time, that's no excuse," Washington said. "You get a second shot, you're not supposed to miss it."

Washington talked to Borbon about it right after the play, clearly frustrated that the outfielder couldn't execute.

"[There's] no excuse for not bunting," Washington said. "That's their job. And if they can't do that..."

Borbon wasn't the only player on the field Wednesday vying for a spot on the 25-man roster.

Craig Gentry started in center field and batted second. Gentry has battled injuries and ailments this spring and has not been able to get in any kind of rhythm. But after feeling light-headed and coming out of Sunday's game in Tempe, Gentry played the second-half of Tuesday's game and started Wednesday.

Manager Ron Washington talked to Gentry this week, encouraging him to run the bases with more aggression and get himself in gear for the season. The 28-year-old beat a relay throw on a double play in the fourth and didn't waste any time stealing second base. But in his attempt to stay aggressive, Gentry tried to go to third with two outs on a ball in the dirt (with Michael Young at the plate) and was thrown out.

Gentry came up with two outs and two runners on in the sixth and wasn't able to do anything, grounding out to second base. He's expected to get some more chances at center in the next few games. He was the favorite to get the right-handed center field spot going into spring, but he has not seized the position. It's possible Gentry and Julio Borbon both make the roster.

As for utility infield, Alberto Gonzalez got a chance to play shortstop with Elvis Andrus resting his tight hip flexor muscle. And Gonzalez took advantage. He had a single in the second and a double and a run scored in the fourth. Batting ninth, he came up with the bases loaded in the sixth inning and hit a fly ball to the wall in left. It was caught by Alex Gordon for a long sacrifice fly.

Gonzalez also made the routine defensive plays hit to him Wednesday.

Holland says he was better than numbers: Rangers starter Derek Holland said that despite the line (5 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 2 BBs, 3 Ks, 99 pitches, 66 strikes), he was pleased with the way he threw.

"I was throwing a lot of sinkers on both sides of the plate, and that was the plan to work on the ride back," Holland said.

Holland gave up two home runs, including one to Billy Butler that flew over the fence at the top of the berm and onto Bullard Avenue.

"He hit it about 800 feet," Holland said.

Washington said he wasn't sure it was that long, but it "seemed like it was shot out of a cannon."

Holland said he threw a sinker, and Butler blasted it.

The two walks were the first two free passes Holland has thrown all spring.

"My velocity was there and I felt good," Holland said. "If this was the regular season, I would have been upset. But I'm working on the sinker and doing some things."

That hurts: Michael Young tried to glove a low throw by Holland as Jason Bourgeois ran through the first-base bag. Young wasn't able to get to it, and in the process appeared to hurt his hand. He took his glove off and was shaking it off. Athletic trainer Jamie Reed came on the field briefly, but Young was fine. ...Nelson Cruz was hit in the hand by a pitch that was close to his chin in the third. He stayed in the game (after Reed once again got a chance to trot onto the field), but then left after the fifth.

Triple-homer-triple: David Murphy hit what appeared to be a home run in the second, though it wasn't called that way, and he slid into third. It was then called a homer, and Murphy trotted home. But after an umpire's conference, Murphy was sent back to third with a triple. I'm still not sure exactly where the ball hit in straightaway center, but it was a nice shot by Murphy. He scored one pitch later on Yorvit Torrealba's single.

Oops: Ian Kinsler charged a ground ball and slipped, falling forward as Brayan Pena made it to first base safely. Kinsler was smiling as he got up. It was scored an infield hit. After the game, Kinsler laughed when asked about it (Young laughed, too). "I don't even know where to start in describing that play," Kinsler said. "That's a play that happens in Arizona."

Gentry on the run: Washington wanted to see Gentry run the bases more and he let his center field candidate know that this week. Gentry beat out a relay throw on a double play (1B Eric Hosmer was off the bag) and then stole second. Gentry then tried to get to third on a ball in the dirt and was thrown out. Still, Gentry was trying to be aggressive on the bases, and that's what he needs to be doing. He came up with two on and two outs in the sixth and couldn't do much, grounding to second to end the inning.

Walk in the park: Mike Napoli, the DH on Wednesday, walked three times. He has a team-high 13 walks in Cactus League games and now leads the Cactus League in that category.

Nice bunt: Yorvit Torrealba came up with runners and first and second and no outs in the sixth and put down a perfect bunt toward third base. The ball stayed on the grass and Torrealba was able to record a hit and move the runners up, loading the bases.

Odds and ends: Brad Hawpe hit a double in the ninth and the Rangers ended up tying it on a passed ball (after Hawpe was removed for a pinch runner). ...Mike Adams retired all three batters he faced. ...Every starter in the lineup for the Rangers got on base at least once. ...Matt Kata made a great defensive play, diving to make a stop and then throwing the runner out from his back. He then had the go-ahead double in the 1oth.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Alexi Ogando reminded everyone of the Texas Rangers' starting pitching depth Friday.

Let's not forget that Ogando was an All-Star in 2011 as a starter. And while he's destined for the bullpen if everyone is healthy, he and Scott Feldman are important insurance options should someone get hurt.

With Neftali Feliz still nursing a stiff right shoulder, Ogando went out and pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball in the Rangers' 4-1 win against the San Francisco Giants in front of a sellout crowd at Scottsdale Stadium. Ogando had three walks and three strikeouts.

"I was trying to work both sides of the plate," Ogando said through a translator (Julio Borbon).

Manager Ron Washington said Ogando's command was a little off at times, but was pleased the right-hander got his innings. Ogando said he'll continue to pitch and be ready for the season -- whatever role that may be.

"I'm ready for anything," Ogando said. "They have me starting in case anything comes up. I'm ready if they need me."

Speech time: Even in spring training, Washington isn't afraid to go to the mound and get a message across. Mark Hamburger came in with a 4-0 lead and allowed a run. He got a double play and then walked two straight batters. That got Washington out of his chair just outside the dugout and out to the mound.

"He just got himself out of trouble with a double play and he walked the next two guys -- what was he trying to do?" Washington said. "Just get outs. That's all."

Hamburger did just that, throwing two quick strikes to the final hitter he faced and getting a ground ball out.

Sliding toward Posey: Mitch Moreland had the distinction of being the first player to slide at home plate with Buster Posey catching. There was no collision as Moreland was safe in the fifth inning with the game's first run.

"There were two outs and I was doing everything I could to score," Moreland said. "He gave me the plate, so I slid on the outside line and got in."

Hamilton in center: Josh Hamilton had two hits and was pleased that his timing is starting to come around. He said he wants to play a few more games in center to get his legs under him. Washington said that's likely to happen in a few games before the club leaves Arizona. But the skipper also noted he still has to see more of Borbon, Craig Gentry and Leonys Martin.

5-4-5 double play: Yep, that's right. You don't see a 5-4-5 double play often, but with runners on the corners and one out, Nelson Cruz hit a hard ball to third that was bobbled by Ryan Theriot. He threw to second for the out and Hamilton was then straying too far off the third-base bag and threw behind him to get him for the third out. Odd.

Rope: It didn't result in a double play, but Cruz made an impressive throw to third base in the second inning. Brandon Belt tagged up on a fly ball to right and Cruz threw a bullet to third base. Adrian Beltre wasn't quite able to catch it and tag Belt, but Cruz made it a close play. It's another reminder of the kind of arm he possesses out there.

Caught: Catcher Yorvit Torrealba threw out Emmanuel Burriss with a solid throw to second base in the third. He then caught Brandon Crawford in the fifth. Torrealba has done a tremendous job of getting would-be basestealers this spring. He's had six runners attempt to steal on him and he's thrown out five.

Hit streak: Michael Young singled in the sixth to extend his spring training hitting streak to 11 games. He's 12-for-25 with four doubles, four walks, five runs scored and two RBIs in that span.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Two days after Julio Borbon struggled in the field and at the plate in his last Cactus League game, the outfielder had a better night in Goodyear in the Rangers' 6-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Borbon led off the game by belting a hanging 2-2 curveball out to right field to give the Texas Rangers a 1-0 lead. Two innings later, he stayed back nicely on a breaking ball and singled up the middle. Borbon, who had one ball go off his glove Tuesday, didn't have any defensive miscues Thursday.

It was encouraging that Borbon was able to shake off Tuesday's game and move forward.

"I'm still learning, still improving," Borbon said. "I can't control what may happen with the roster. I really don't think about it. What I can do is try to get better every game."

Borbon said he feels like he's seeing pitches well and is getting himself in a good hitting position.

"I'm exaggerating things in practice, like staying through the ball and then just trying to get a pitch to hit in the games," Borbon said.

The center field spot continues to be up for grabs. Craig Gentry came into spring as a slight favorite, though he was not given the position. Gentry had a sore wrist, but has been back in the lineup the past few games, including playing center field for the entire afternoon game in Surprise on Thursday. Borbon arrived with little pressure and has had a good spring overall. His defense has improved, and he's hitting the ball well (was batting .308 (8-for-26) coming in).

It's possible that both Borbon and Gentry could make the club. Conor Jackson and Brad Hawpe haven't found their offensive rhythm this spring. Hawpe has battled mild hamstring strains and Jackson is just 2-for-28. Of course, the club could look for a right-handed hitting outfielder (Borbon is a lefty) for the bench in a late spring trade. And they've made late spring trades before (see Andres Blanco and Matt Treanor). But Borbon's focus is simply to keep improving and make the decision tough on the Rangers' coaching staff and front office.

Glove work: Third baseman Mike Olt showed why he's considered one of the top defensive third-base prospects in the game in the second inning. Wilson Valdez, who has good speed, bunted, and Olt charged the ball, barehanded it and made an off-balance throw to get Valdez by a step. It was a nice play.

Double up: The first time through the lineup, Scott Feldman allowed four hits. And all of them were doubles. That included a long double to left-center field by Reds pitcher Mat Latos. The Reds had their pitchers bat, while the Rangers used a DH.

"It was weird," said Feldman, who threw 86 pitches. "But after the second inning, I thought things were better."

Feldman said he wants to start, but knows his role isn't up to him.

"I want to start, but what can I do?" Feldman said. "I have peace of mind that I can get guys out on a consistent basis. I'm over that 2010 season."

Scheppers' mixed bag: Feldman, who ended up going 4 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits, wasn't able to get through the fifth inning. So with the bases loaded and one out, Scheppers struck out Todd Frazier on a 98-mph fastball and then induced a slow hopper to the mound to get out of the jam. But in his second inning of work, Scheppers allowed three runs on four hits.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Here are the lineups for tonight's game here at Goodyear Ballpark (with the airplane graveyard just behind right-field):

RANGERS
CF Julio Borbon
SS Alberto Gonzalez
LF David Murphy
RF Nelson Cruz
1B Mitch Moreland
C Yorvit Torrealba
DH Brad Hawpe
3B Mike Olt
2B Greg Miclat

REDS
CF Drew Stubbs
SS Zack Cozart
RF Jay Bruce
3B Scott Rolen
1B Juan Francisco
LF Chris Heisey
C Devin Mesoraco
2B Wilson Valdez
RHP Mat Latos

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- With the Texas Rangers getting a rare spring training day off, let's take some time to look at some things to watch in the final couple of weeks before the season begins. That includes several position battles. We'll start with one of those.

Spring cleaning: Center field

When the spring started, this was a battle between Craig Gentry, Julio Borbon and Leonys Martin -- in that order. Nothing, it appears, has changed in that order.

But Gentry's latest wrist sprain, which kept him out of a handful of games, isn't helping his candidacy. He hasn't been able to get into a rhythm because of injuries, which have plagued him at various times the past few seasons. But his play in 2011 and the fact that he played in meaningful games still gives him an edge. He was in right field and then switched to center on Tuesday and beat out two infield hits and attempted a stolen base. Gentry was thrown out, but the fact that he tried to steal was important. It was something the Rangers wanted to see from Gentry at this point. He'll play the entire game Thursday.

Martin has shown flashes of what the Rangers saw in him when they made the investment last year. He's got great speed, good instincts and can hit the ball some, too. But he's raw and needs a little more seasoning.

To me, though, the most interesting candidate is Borbon. This is his fifth spring and he isn't here as the de facto center fielder. In the past, this has been his job to lose. And he's lost it, thanks to inconsistent play and injuries.

Before yesterday's game, when he dropped a ball in center field that was in his glove and wasn't able to cut off a ball hit hard to center, Borbon was putting together a solid spring. That's worth nothing. It's unfair to let one game alter the entire picture. But in a sense, that's been the story of Borbon. He's had difficulty with consistency.

But overall, this spring has been a good one for Borbon. He's hit the ball well, hasn't been afraid to use his speed and has felt better defensively -- even with some hiccups Tuesday.

"He's more confident and more aware of what he's doing out there," outfield coach Gary Pettis said Tuesday morning. "I think last year, maybe he just didn't bear down as much as he could have. This year he's come back to prove that he belongs here, and so far, he's done that. He knows he can go get a ball, he's confident in his throwing. If he makes a poor throw or a poor play, he can make the adjustment. He has to continue that when the mistakes happen."

Borbon said he feels more relaxed this year, in part because he hasn't been handed anything. He performed well in the playoffs in winter ball and has some confidence from that.

"I'm really not thinking about any kind of position battle," Borbon said. "My focus is improving my game. I know what's going on and what's at stake, but I can't worry about that. I learned a lot last year and I want to keep doing that."

Prediction: If Gentry stays healthy, I still think this is his job. Josh Hamilton will still play his fair share of center field, but the Rangers want to protect him in left field and need to trust that Gentry can do the job well enough. I think he can and that he'll get himself ready in the next few weeks.

MESA, Ariz. -- It sure looked like Koji Uehara's best inning of the spring, when he got a ground out and two fly balls in 12 pitches in Tuesday's 6-2 win against the Chicago Cubs.

But Uehara wasn't convinced.

"Not necessarily," Uehara said through a translator. "I'm planning to be better."

Still, Uehara threw strikes and got three straight outs. And even he noted that "zero" was good to see on the scoreboard after giving up runs in his last few outings.

"I'm a command pitcher and I'm not content with how I'm throwing the fastball," Uehara said. "Maybe I'm not acclimated to the Arizona weather."

Uehara admitted that his split-fingered fastball doesn't break the way he'd expect out here.

"The splitter doesn't split," Uehara said.

Other notes:

Borbon's defense: Julio Borbon was not credited with an error in the first despite a ball going off his glove in center. Borbon had a long way to run, but the ball hit his glove and dropped. Starlin Castro was given a triple.

"I was going full speed on it and it came out of my glove," Borbon said.

A few innings later, Borbon tried to sprint over and cut a ball off in center, but missed it. It turned what appeared to be a Blake DeWitt double into a triple.

"I wasn't close on it," Borbon said. "I took two steps forward and by the time I could try to cut it off, I couldn't get there. I could see [Craig] Gentry out of the corner of my eye and I didn't want to dive and run into him."

Homer for Brown: Dusty Brown was the catcher while Mike Napoli got a day off his feet as the DH. Brown hit a two-run homer in the second inning and grounded into a double play in the fourth.

Deep counts: Napoli has a habit of getting into deep counts and he did that again Tuesday. He worked Ryan Dempster to 3-2 counts in the second and fourth and walked both times. He scored on Brown's homer in the second.

Gentry tries to steal: Don't underestimate the importance of OF Craig Gentry at least attempting to steal second in the third. He was caught stealing but hasn't been running this spring and the Rangers wanted to see him try it. Gentry, who has dealt with some injuries this spring, will get a chance to play the entire game Thursday as he tries to get more at-bats and playing time. Gentry had two infield hits, showing off his speed.

Martin belts one: With two outs and one on in the ninth inning, Leonys Martin belted his second homer of the spring over the Rangers bullpen in right field. That gave the Rangers a four-run cushion heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Kirkman's outing: LHP Michael Kirkman pitched two scoreless innings with one hit allowed (a double). He had one strikeout and hit a batter.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers head to Mesa to face the Chicago Cubs. Here are the lineups for today's game:

RANGERS
CF Julio Borbon
RF Craig Gentry
1B Mitch Moreland
DH Mike Napoli
LF Conor Jackson
C Dustin Brown
3B Mike Olt
2B Greg Miclat
SS Luis Hernandez

PITCHERS
RHP Neftali Feliz (four innings)
RHP Koji Uehara
LHP Neal Cotts
LHP Michael Kirkman
RHP Sean Green

CUBS
RF David DeJesus
CF Marlon Byrd
SS Starlin Castro
2B Jeff Baker
C Geovany Soto
3B Blake DeWitt
LF Reed Johnson
1B Anthony Rizzo

PITCHERS
RHP Ryan Dempster
RHP Kerry Wood
RHP Carlos Marmol
RHP Lendy Castillo
RHP Alberto Cabrera

LAS VEGAS - The Rangers' batting order for today's game vs. the Cubs:

1. Elvis Andrus (SS)
2. Julio Borbon (DH)
3. Josh Hamilton (LF)
4. Adrian Beltre (3B)
5. Nelson Cruz (RF)
6. Mitch Moreland (1B)
7. Yorvit Torrealba (C)
8. Leonys Martin (CF)
9. Leury Garcia (2B)

Matt Harrison is starting for the Rangers today. He's expected to pitch four innings or throw 60 pitches.

UPDATE: Torrealba was scratched and replaced in the lineup by Luis Martinez.