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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Lance Berkman will eventually play first base in a game this season. The question of whether he'll play there next week under National League rules in Chicago and Milwaukee is still a mystery.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said Wednesday that Berkman needs repetition at first base -- taking ground balls -- to prepare. But Washington also has said he's comfortable putting Berkman in the lineup at first base without him getting work there.

"He needs some repetition. We have to start getting him out there," said Washington, who added he hopes to get Berkman out for infield work soon. "You could put Berkman out there whether he's had repetition or not. I'm going to find out if he wants to play out there, and if he says he wants to play out there, I'm going to put him out there. You'd like to get some repetition before you put somebody into a position."

Berkman said Wednesday while it would help to take ground balls, it wouldn't be the same as being at first base in a real game. "The speed of the game is the real deal," Berkman said.

The Rangers will have to give up the designated hitter for Monday's makeup game at the Cubs and Tuesday and Wednesday at Milwaukee. Cold weather could also be an issue, though Milwaukee's Miller Park does have a roof to provide climate control.

Another issue could be taking Mitch Moreland's bat out of the lineup to make room for Berkman at first. Moreland is currently the Rangers' hottest hitter, batting .429 with six RBIs in his last nine games.

Other notes:

Pierzynski out again: Catcher A.J. Pierzynski, out Tuesday and Wednesday with a sore oblique, is an extra scout when it comes to his former team, the White Sox, after spending eight years with them. While Pierzynski sat by Washington for much of the game on the bench, the catcher wasn't offering up nuggets of information about his former team.

"He's was talking about anything and everything," Washington said. "Half of the stuff I couldn't understand."

Pierzynski said before Wednesday's game that the bruising in the area around his right oblique has improved and that he expects to play Thursday. Pierznyski took batting practice in the cages before the game.

Andrus is OK: Elvis Andrus is back in the lineup Wednesday after fouling a ball off his calf in the fifth inning of Tuesday's game. His calf stiffened up enough to where he couldn't move well to his left, which explains why Ian Kinsler was able to go all the way behind second base for a ground ball and get on out that brought on a full salute from Washington.

Kinsler said after the game that Andrus would usually be able to get to the ball.

"I don't usually foul the ball off my leg," Andrus said. "I've never had one like that."

Moreland in, Murphy out: Moreland was back in the lineup while David Murphy sat Wednesday. Jeff Baker was in left field to get his right-handed bat in the lineup against White Sox left-hander Chris Sale.

It's the first time either Murphy or Moreland have been out of the lineup for consecutive days. Moreland had three hits against White Sox lefty Jose Quintana and reached base all four plate appearances, giving Washington further reason to keep him in Wednesday's lineup.

"Logic would suggest that," Washington said. Murphy will play in left field Thursday against White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy, the manager said.

Washington will reach quicker: Murphy will be a defensive replacement for Baker in the eighth inning if the Rangers have a lead in a close game Wednesday night.

Washington said he should have put Murphy in the game in eighth inning of Tuesday's 10-6 victory. Baker, still nursing a knee injury, had a ball fall into front of him in the eighth inning. Baker bruised his right knee making a sliding catch in the left-corner in Anaheim last Tuesday. He's still not 100 percent, he said after Tuesday's game.

"It took a toll on him," Washington said. "He's fine. I have to make my defensive replacement earlier."

No update on Olt: Daniels said the Rangers didn't have an update on Triple-A infielder Mike Olt, who reported vision issues to club earlier this week. Olt, batting .139 for 72 at-bats, saw doctors Tuesday.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Struggling prospects Mike Olt and Cody Buckel began their search Tuesday for what's behind their shockingly poor starts to the season.

PODCAST
Tanner Scheppers joins Matt Mosley and Chuck Cooperstein to discuss pitching for the Rangers and what it's like watching Yu Darvish. Listen

Olt, the Rangers' second-highest ranked prospect behind shortstop Jurickson Profar, saw team doctors Tuesday after informing club officials he was having issues with his vision. It could be as simple as the Triple-A Round Rock infielder needing contacts or glasses, general manager Jon Daniels said, or it could be something more. Daniels didn't have a diagnosis for Olt before the Rangers' game Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.

Buckel, a right-handed pitcher who has been having issues with his control at Double-A Frisco, was moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen Tuesday. Buckel, the club's eighth-best prospect, has 25 walks in 18 innings. He had three walks and didn't record an out in his most recent start, against Corpus Christi on Saturday.

Olt's vision problems might help explain why he's off to a dismal start. Olt, a career .282 hitter in the minors entering the season, entered Tuesday batting .139 in 72-bats and has one home run after tying for the Texas League lead with 28 home runs last year.

"It would make sense if that's what has developed," Daniels said Tuesday.

Buckel heads to the bullpen after not pitching more than three innings in his five starts this season. He had a season-high six walks in three innings at San Antonio on April 22 and has walked at least five in three other starts.

Buckel will take up some innings in what has been a dominant bullpen in Frisco. But Daniels said the club thought it was better that Buckel sort things out in Double-A rather than at extended spring training.

"It's nothing physical with Cody," Daniels said. "He's been scuffling all season."

Both Olt's and Buckel's names came up in trade talks during the offseason.

Other Rangers notes:

Baker in, Murphy out: Jeff Baker got the start in left field against White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana, giving struggling starter David Murphy an extra day off. Murphy, batting .176 with two home runs, has a track record that says he will get his bat going.

"He's missing pitches that he usually gets," manager Ron Washington said.

Murphy and third baseman Adrian Beltre both have started slow. Beltre is batting .221 with four home runs and only nine RBIs.

"You know their track record is there," Washington said. "You just have to be patient."

More on Beltre: Beltre said Tuesday that he's not concerned with his slow start, noting he always has been a warm-weather player. Beltre is batting .107 with runners in scoring position.

"I know I'm going to be OK," Beltre said. "I would say I've been average. There hasn't been a time when I've felt great and there's not a period where I've felt terrible."

Randy Wells retires: Veteran pitcher Randy Wells, who has been at Triple-A Round Rock, has retired, Daniels said Tuesday. Daniels said the 30-year-old Wells told club officials that he didn't have the same level of desire for the game.

It's Joseph Ortiz: The Rangers said Tuesday that reliever Joe Ortiz has been asked to be called Joseph Ortiz from this point forward. Ortiz has allowed runs in his past three appearances, but the Rangers didn't provide that as the reason he is going with Joseph.

ESPN.com's Buster Olney shared a quick nugget the other day in his daily blog, noting that the Rangers were doing "some early reconnaissance on how they could put together some kind of a deal" for Giancarlo Stanton. This shouldn't come as a shock. The Rangers' front office is very proactive and it makes perfect sense to be poking the Miami Marlins about Stanton, even a few months prior to the trade deadline.

PODCAST
ESPN Insider Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the possibility of the Rangers trading Jurickson Profar. Listen

Of course, the Marlins may not deal him then. But why not be prepared? So let's say the Marlins make it clear at some point in July that they'll listen to offers for Stanton. What might it take to get him?

Every deal starts with Jurickson Profar, the No. 1-ranked prospect according to ESPN.com's Keith Law. Now that the Rangers have signed Elvis Andrus to a long-term deal that keeps him in Texas at least through the 2018 season, they can afford to ship Profar. But they won't do that for just anybody. It's got to be a frontline starter or a middle-of-the-lineup bat, and either of those possibilities should be under team control for a few years.

Stanton fits the bill. He's under team control through the 2016 season, so the Rangers would be trading a package fronted by Profar for someone who won't hit the free agent market right away. Yes, he's struggled so far this season (and has dealt with shoulder soreness), but he hit. 290 with 37 homers and 86 RBIs in 449 at-bats last year. It was a third straight season of solid numbers with his average and homers going up. He's got a track record, albeit a brief one, of success.

To get him, Profar won't be enough. Mike Olt makes some sense here, as well. The Marlins could use a third baseman with a glove like Olt's, and while he struggled in spring training, he's got a bat with upside. The Marlins would likely want pitching. The Rangers, staying in prospect mode, could let them choose one or two from a group including Martin Perez, Justin Grimm, Cody Buckel, and maybe Nick Tepesch. Would Leonys Martin factor in here somewhere? Maybe.

But the Marlins are likely to want a piece that's in the majors and would be under club control for a while. Derek Holland or Matt Harrison would be examples. If that happens, the prospect package has to drop or it's too high a price to pay. Perhaps the Rangers will feel any package that includes one of its starters at the big league level is too high a price to pay. They worked hard to tie up the starting staff long term and won't want to break that up. But maybe there are other possibilities -- like a Robbie Ross, for instance -- that could be factored in to some kind of deal.

But it's probably going to take a strong prospect package and some pieces at the big league level to get this done.

Your turn. Give me an offer for Stanton that you think the Marlins would take (and the Rangers would be willing to give).

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers (15-15-2) have dropped two straight after losing 11-3 to the Chicago White Sox (12-13-3) on Tuesday at Surprise Stadium.

What it means: Texas dropped back to .500 and lost back-to-back games (not counting split-squad games) for the first time since Feb. 26-27. If the Rangers go 3-1 in their final four Cactus League games, they would finish the spring above .500 for the first time since 2009.

Harrison finale: Starter Matt Harrison closed out his spring with a bumpy start after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out one in 3 1/3 innings. He threw 81 pitches, the final one a two-run home run to Brandon Short in a three-run fourth inning.

PODCAST
Broadcaster Steve Busby joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the Rangers' starting rotation, if Yu Darvish is a Cy Young candidate and how the team can replace Josh Hamilton's production. Listen

Scoreless outing: Reliever Josh Lindblom, who is battling for one of the final bullpen jobs, pitched two scoreless innings Tuesday. He was forced to work a bit in the the second frame but got out without any damage.

Five for Frasor: Reliever Jason Frasor had his worst outing of the spring, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in just one-third of an inning. Frasor already has one of the five bullpen jobs sewn up.

Catcher's interferences: Seeing one catcher's interference play in a game is unusual enough. Seeing it twice is downright strange. Throw in that the same Texas batter was at the plate for both of them and you have an outright oddity. However, that is what happened to David Murphy, who reached base twice on a catcher's interference calls Tuesday -- once against each Chicago catcher. Murphy drew three in 2012.

40-man roster room: More moves to the Rangers' 40-man roster are in the offing as room needs to be made for Jeff Baker, Derek Lowe and Nick Tepesch. The spot for Tepesch doesn't need to be cleared until his contract is purchased to make the April 9 start against Tampa Bay.

Olt update: Mike Olt will mostly play third base with Round Rock (AAA), allowing him to focus on one position and concentrate on simplifying his fielding and working to improve at the plate.

What's next? The Rangers will play their final road game of the Cactus League season when they travels to Tempe to take on the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday at 2:05 p.m. CT at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The game can be heard on ESPN 103.3 FM and will be broadcast on the MLB Network. LHP Michael Kirkman (0-0, 0.00) is the scheduled starter for Texas. RHP Garrett Richards will take the mound for Chicago.

PODCAST
Rangers GM Jon Daniels joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to discuss expectations for the Rangers this season, what he has seen from the team this spring and his thoughts on Jerry's GM work with the Cowboys. Listen

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- For many sports fans, all eyes will turn toward men's college basketball beginning Thursday when the annual tournament to determine a new champion gets underway.

March Madness has become a national phenomenon, largely because of the fun that goes along with predicting the results of the single-elimination tourney. Many members of the Texas Rangers are also college basketball fans, and they shared their thoughts on who they think will end up in the Final Four.

Jim Adduci: Duke, Gonzaga, Indiana, Michigan

PODCAST
Rangers outfielder David Murphy joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett live from spring training in Surprise, Ariz. Listen

Matt Harrison: Duke (hometown team), Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas

Derek Holland: Michigan, Michigan St., Miami, Ohio St.

Michael Kirkman: Butler, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga

Derek Lowe: Kansas, Louisville, Miami, Ohio St.

David Murphy: Florida, Indiana, Kansas St., Louisville

Mike Olt: Florida, Louisville, Miami, Wisconsin

Nate Robertson: Duke, Georgetown, Miami, Wisconsin

Coty Woods: Kansas, Louisville, Middle Tennessee State Univ. (his alma mater), Marquette

MESA, Ariz. -- Highly-regarded prospect Mike Olt was one of four players optioned to Round Rock (AAA) on Tuesday as part of 12 roster moves announced by the Texas Rangers.

PODCAST
Rangers GM Jon Daniels joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to discuss expectations for the Rangers this season, what he has seen from the team this spring and his thoughts on Jerry's GM work with the Cowboys. Listen

Olt saw a lot of time this spring at third base and also played a few games in right field, a new position for the 24-year old whom the Rangers see as a key future contributor to their team.

With Mitch Moreland at first base and Adrian Beltre at third, Olt needed to add another position to his arsenal to increase his versatility and clear a path to the major leagues. He is expected to play both third and outfield with Round Rock.

"He'll go down there, get the repetitions, play everyday and get into game mode and the rest will take care of itself," manager Ron Washington said. "We get to the point in spring where we are going to play the regular guys more and he just needed to go somewhere where he could get regular work. That is why we sent him down.

"He did extremely well (in the outfield)."

Olt struggled at the plate early in the spring and Washington commented that he wanted to see the powerful, 6-foot-2, 210-pounder swing the bat more often. His play didn't diminish the positive outlook on his future in the lineup. However, with depth in the outfield, more seasoning will improve his chances to earn a regular spot on the major-league roster.

"It's good to be able to get more reps and get back on track," Olt said. "I view this as a positive. They want me up here as an everyday guy, not a bench guy, so I'll get my reps and get back on track."

Olt leaves major league camp with a .194 average this spring with two home runs and five RBIs.

A supplemental pick in the 2010 MLB Draft (49th overall), Olt split time between Double-A Frisco and Texas last season. He hit .152 in 33 big-league at-bats with no home runs, five RBIs and 13 strikeouts. This season would mark the first time Olt plays in Triple-A.

LHP Jeff Beliveau, OF Engle Beltre and RHP Wilmer Font were also assigned to Round Rock.

In addition to those moves, Texas announced eight players were reassigned to minor-league camp: 1B Brandon Allen, C Juan Apodaca, RHP Colin Balester, LHP Neal Cotts, C Jose Felix, RHP Evan Meek, INF Brandon Snyder, OF Aaron Cunningham and RHP Yoshinori Tateyama.

Including the three Rangers still playing in the World Baseball Classic, Texas has 45 players on its major league spring training roster.

Other team notes:

A delayed broadcast of today's game can be heard at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN 103.3 FM.

LHP Derek Holland will make his first appearance since returning from the WBC. He allowed five runs on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings against Tucson in a minor-league start for Round Rock (AAA).

Joe Nathan pitched two scoreless innings in a game with High-A Myrtle Beach and allowed one hit and no walks while striking out four.

LHP Matt Harrison is scheduled for a minor league game Thursday.

Going into Tuesday, Elvis Andrus had a 10-game hitting streak, batting .393 (11-28) in that span.

Jeff Baker was third in the majors and second in the Cactus League with a .467 batting average going into Tuesday's play.

Wednesday marks the third and final off day during the spring schedule. The club does not have another off day until April 1, the day after opening the season in Houston.

Nelson Cruz and Leurys Garcia (Dominican Republic) will be in San Francisco for tonight's WBC final before returning to the Rangers. Jurickson Profar (Netherlands) went 0-for-3 with a walk in last night's semifinal against Puerto Rico, also committing a throwing error. It was Profar's only WBC game, as he was an injury replacement for the semifinals.

Derek Lowe is scheduled to start for the Rangers on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is not likely to pitch three innings again, as he did in Monday's emergency start in place of Yu Darvish.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers (7-8-2) saw their spring-high three-game winning streak come to an end after dropping a 2-1 decision to the San Francisco Giants (6-7-3) on Monday at Surprise Stadium. Yu Darvish allowed one run on five hits in 3 2/3 innings while striking out five and did not allow a walk.

What it means: The Rangers dropped back below .500 after suffering their first loss in seven games.

New battery: Geovany Soto caught Darvish in a game for the first time this spring. A.J. Pierzynski was behind the plate for Darvish's first two starts. Manager Ron Washington said that was just a result of the natural catching rotation and it was Soto's turn to start.

PODCAST
Derek Holland joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the benefits of pitching in the World Baseball Classic and why he thinks letting Nolan Ryan leave the Texas Rangers would be a mistake. Listen

Great glove: Mike Olt saved at least one run from scoring in the third inning when he made a diving catch on a line drive by Buster Posey to keep the Giants' lead at 1-0. Olt was playing just his third game in right field.

Bum rap: The Rangers could only muster a double by Mitch Moreland against San Francisco starter Madison Bumgarner during his four innings of work.

Double double: Moreland showed no signs of rust or lingering affects after missing two games with a tight right hamstring. The Rangers' first baseman went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a run scored.

Close call: Joe Nathan seemed to be on the way to a rough outing Monday after allowing a run on back-to-back triples to the first two batters he faced. Giants hitters couldn't touch him after that, as the Rangers closer responded by striking out the side on 11 pitches.

Left out: Nate Robertson continues to have a very good spring, pitching a scoreless seventh inning Monday. The left-hander is unscored upon in six innings this spring.

Team effort: Six Rangers pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts and just one walk.

Spring fever: With Phoenix area children on their first day of spring break, the Giants being in town, and a beautiful 73-degree day, a spring-high crowd of 10,025 took in the game at Surprise Stadium.

What's next? The Rangers host Milwaukee on Tuesday at 3:05 p.m. CT to close out a two-game homestand. RHP Alexi Ogando (0-1, 5.68) will get the start for the Rangers. RHP Mark Rogers (0-0, 3.86) is the scheduled starter for the Brewers. Texas has an off day Wednesday.

MARYVALE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers (4-7-2) seek to extend a three-game unbeaten streak when they hit the road to play the Milwaukee Brewers (6-6) for the first time this spring on Friday at 2:05 p.m. CT. The Rangers and Dodgers played to an 11-11 tie Thursday at Surprise Stadium.

The Rangers' lineup for today's game:

LF Julio Borbon
RF Craig Gentry
DH Lance Berkman
2B Jeff Baker
C Geovany Soto
SS Yangervis Solarte
1B Brandon Allen
CF Leonys Martin
3B Mike Olt

Pitchers
LHP Jeff Beliveau
LHP Michael Kirkman
RHP Cory Burns
RHP Yoshinori Tateyama
RHP Johan Yan
RHP Neil Ramirez
RHP Collin Balester

BREWERS

RF Norichika Aoki
SS Jean Segura
CF Carlos Gomez
2B Rickie Weeks
3B Alex Gonzalez
DH Khris Davis
LF Logan Schafer
1B Bobby Crosby
C Robinzon Diaz

Pitchers
RHP Tyler Thornburg
LHP Tom Gorzelanny
LHP Michael Gonzalez
RHP Jesus Sanchez
RHP Josh Stinson
RHP Donovan Hand
RHP Rob Wooten

MARYVALE, Ariz. -- The only new injury update of note for Friday's Cactus League matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers is the return of third baseman Mike Olt to the Rangers' lineup.

Olt missed two games with an impacted wisdom tooth, which led to an extraction. He was originally slated to play right field for the second time this spring Wednesday before being scratched in the morning. Olt will return to the infield for today's game.

Other injury notes:

RHP Kyle McClellan (shoulder soreness) and RHP Wilmer Font (biceps tendinitis) will throw live batting practice Saturday.

RHP Joakim Soria (Tommy John surgery) and RHP Justin Miller (Tommy John surgery) will throw bullpen sessions today.

RHP Colby Lewis (surgery, torn flexor tendon) will throw his next bullpen Sunday.

RHP Neftali Feliz (Tommy John surgery) is throwing long toss out to 75 feet.

LHP Martin Perez (fractured left ulna) is not expected to resume a throwing program for approximately four weeks.

C Eli Whiteside (mild left calf strain) will have his left calf re-examined today.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Kyle McClellan has waited all spring while he recovered from a sore shoulder as other candidates for the fifth starter slot continually took to the mound in an effort to stake their claim to the job.

PODCAST
ESPN senior baseball writer Buster Olney joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to give his take on the Texas Rangers' controversy in the front office. Listen

The only consolation for McClellan was recognizing the importance of being fully recovered from the shoulder surgery he underwent on July 10 before showing his new team what he's capable of.

The right-hander will finally get that chance when he makes his Cactus League debut against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.

"It's one of those things where I know what I can do and have just been anxious to get back out on the field, but I have to be healthy in order to do that," McClellan said. "When you come into a new organization you want to show that you are what they signed you for, and I feel like I can do that."

The muscle soreness that led to the long layoff was a byproduct of the midseason surgery McClellan underwent while still a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. He has progressed gradually with his pitching regimen, most recently throwing a 52-pitch bullpen session Wednesday. He will toss live batting practice Saturday -- the final step before seeing live game action for the first time since last May.

"When I first got here, I felt good and still had a little bit of an impingement in there," McClellan said. "I feel like I am over the hump. Everyone I talk to says I've gotten over my last hurdle and I think I am ready to go. I feel like I can throw in a game."

Even with a longer than usual spring training -- due to the World Baseball Classic -- time was becoming an issue. It's difficult to compete for a spot in the starting rotation if you can't pitch in a game.

"If he would have kept missing time, time would have ran out on him," manager Ron Washington said. "But he has a chance to get in the mix."

McClellan was last used in the rotation in 2011, when he made 17 starts for St. Louis and posted a 6-6 record with a 4.21 ERA. He was moved to the bullpen after the Cardinals acquired Edwin Jackson. Of his 261 career appearances, McClellan has made all but those 17 as a reliever.

Other injury notes:

OF Leonys Martin (tight left hamstring) is in the lineup Thursday after missing one game.

3B Mike Olt will miss his second game after having a wisdom tooth pulled on Wednesday.

C Eli Whiteside is sidelined with a mild left calf strain.

RHP Colby Lewis (surgery - torn flexor tendon) will throw his next bullpen on Sunday.

RHP Joakim Soria (Tommy John surgery) and RHP Wilmer Font (right biceps tendonitis) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and reported no problems.

RHP Neftali Feliz (Tommy John surgery) is throwing out to 75 feet.

RHP Yoshinori Tateyama (lower back stiffness) and RHP Tanner Scheppers (mild right hamstring tightness) both pitched in Wednesday's 'B' game against the Chicago Cubs, marking their return from injury.

LHP Martin Perez (fractured left ulna) is not expected to resume a throwing program for approximately four weeks.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Two pitchers looking to make the move from the bullpen to the rotation take the mound Wednesday when the Texas Rangers (3-7-1) host the Chicago Cubs (5-7)

PODCAST
ESPN.com Insider Jim Bowden joins Ian Fitzsimmons and Richard Durrett to talk about the Texas Rangers' restructure, Nolan Ryan's impact and spring training. Listen

Lefty Robbie Ross said that while he has no problem remaining a reliever in 2013, he would welcome the move to the rotation should he win the competition for the fifth spot in the Rangers' rotation. With Martin Perez out of the picture due to a fractured ulna bone in his left forearm, Ross has an opportunity to put himself in good position for the job during his scheduled four-inning start Wednesday against the Cubs.

Ross was sharp in his last outing Feb. 27, as he was one out from escaping with a scoreless three-inning performance before hanging a pitch to Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko that was hit for a two-run home run.

Other that that mistake, the 23-year old has done nothing to show he isn't ready to make the move to the rotation from the bullpen, where he established himself last season as one of the better set-up men in baseball.

"If Robbie takes the fifth spot, someone has to take his spot in the bullpen," manager Ron Washington said. "We are trying to put the best guys we have out there and fill some holes."

Alexi Ogando will follow Ross and make his third appearance and second start of the spring Wednesday. His spot in the rotation as the No. 4 starter is already set after pitching almost exclusively out of the bullpen in 2012.

Ogando is still rounding into the form that saw him go 13-8 with a 3.51 ERA in 29 starts two years ago. In his spring debut Feb. 22, Ogando struggled with his command and allowed three earned runs on two hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings. He showed slight improvement in his second appearance Feb. 27, as the two runs he allowed were unearned, but he did give up three hits and walked a pair.

"The first time he was erratic, couldn't throw the ball in the strike zone. The next time he threw more strikes," Washington said. "This time I'd like to see Ogando down in the zone, throwing strikes, make them swing the bat, using his breaking ball and changeup."

Other game notes:

3B Adrian Beltre is in the lineup and will hit fourth, as he will during the regular season. Beltre was 1-for-3 with a double in his spring debut Monday. He will get the day off on Thursday after playing consecutive games.

Mike Olt was originally scheduled to hit eighth Wednesday while getting his second start in right field before being scratched later in the morning with an impacted wisdom tooth. Olt was replaced in the lineup by Julio Borbon, who will hit second. CF Craig Gentry, who was originally slated to hit in the 2-hole, was dropped to eighth.

OF Engel Beltre left Rangers camp Sunday to join his teammates in Florida and represent Spain in the World Baseball Classic.

The Rangers made the following roster moves today: Optioned RHP Roman Mendez to Frisco (AA); optioned RHP Matt West to Myrtle Beach (High-A); assigned RHP Cody Buckel and RHP Yonata Ortega to minor league camp. With the moves, there are now 53 players remaining in camp, with an additional six players at the World Baseball Classic.

RHP Tanner Scheppers threw in the 'B' game this morning and reported no problems.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The latest chapter in the battle for the Texas Rangers' fifth spot in the rotation will be written today when Randy Wells makes his first start and second appearance of the spring.

PODCAST
Ron Washington joins Galloway & Company to discuss his decision not to rest starters last seaon, what Lance Berkman brings to the Rangers and much more. Listen

A number of players are in contention for the spot, but Wells and Kyle McClellan are the only ones with more than two major league starts. McClellan is yet to pitch due to a sore shoulder.

Fellow candidates Martin Perez and Robbie Ross have impressed during the early portion of the 2013 Cactus League season and Wells aims to keep pace with a strong outing during his three innings of work today against the Seattle Mariners.

"This competition is going to be pretty tough, but it is a good position to be in," Wells said. "It's tough because you don't want to feel like every pitch you make or every mistake is going to determine whether or not you make the team. I just have to go out there and relax and have fun."

Wells had a good spring debut in his first outing since undergoing elbow surgery last July. The right-hander pitched two innings and allowed one run but wasn't hit especially hard. The only run he allowed was manufactured. Wells finished strong by ending the threat of a bigger inning with a double play.

The 30-year old signed a minor league deal with Texas in December after spending parts of the last three season with the Chicago Cubs. He owns the most major league experience among the candidates with 86 starts in five MLB seasons. While that experience will aid Wells in knowing how to perform as a starter, it won't necessarily give him in edge in earning the fifth spot.

"He is out there trying to impress just like everyone else," said manager Ron Washington. "Of course his experience does come into play but when it comes down to it, it is going to be a group evaluation and we'll all get in on the decision. We know what he did, but there is competition for that spot and it will be the best guy we give it to."

Wells owns a career record of 28-32 with a 4.08 ERA and has struck out 345 batters in 529 innings pitched.

Other notes:

Mike Olt remains in the Texas lineup but will return to third base after making his spring debut in right field Thursday.

Lance Berkman is receiving a scheduled off today. He is on an every-other-day schedule while Texas officials monitor him after returning Thursday from a week layoff due to a sore calf. Berkman is slated to play three innings Saturday.

Elvis Andrus returns to the lineup and will bat second after a two-day layoff, including a missed day on Thursday from arm soreness due to a new tattoo.

Texas has scored 18 runs in its last two games after plating 17 in its first four spring games.

Rangers Hall of Famers Rusty Greer and Kenny Rogers, along with Mark McLemore, joined the team today as special instructors for a week.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers (1-5-1) take a short ride to nearby Peoria Sports Complex to face the Seattle Mariners (6-1) for the first time this spring today at 2:05 p.m. CT. Texas earned its first Cactus League win Thursday and snapped a five-game losing streak with its 10-0 victory over Cleveland. Mike Olt will see his first action in right field today in place of Nelson Cruz, who was sent to the hospital after feeling discomfort in his chest. Olt has played third base exclusively to this point.

The Rangers' lineup for today's game:

2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
LF David Murphy
1B Mitch Moreland
RF Aaron Cunningham
C Geovany Soto
DH Leonys Martin
RF Mike Olt
CF Julio Borbon

Pitchers
RHP Randy Wells
LHP Neal Cotts
RHP Evan Meek
RHP Cory Burns
LHP Michael Kirkman

MARINERS

2B Dustin Ackley
DH Jason Bay
1B Kendrys Morales
RF Michael Morse
CF Michael Saunders
C Kelly Shoppach
LF Carlos Peguero
3B Robert Andino
SS Brendan Ryan

Pitchers
LHP James Paxton
RHP Brandon Maurer
LHP Anthony Fernandez
RHP Andrew Carraway
LHP Brian Moran
LHP Bobby LaFromboise
RHP Danny Farquhar
RHP Logan Bawcom
RHP Carson Smith
RHP Jonathan Arias
RHP Jhonny Nunez

Editor's Note: You choose the player that will have the better year of the two featured in this blog series. Sometimes it may seem like an easy exercise and other times it may be more difficult. ESPN.com fantasy expert Eric Karabell will weigh in with the player he thinks will have a better fantasy year.

Today's Pick 1: Jurickson Profar or Mike Olt

Remember, this is about picking which player will have the best 2013 season. It's not about choosing the one with the higher ceiling or the one that might have the best career.

With that in mind, I'm taking Olt. I still think Profar ends up starting the season in Triple-A Round Rock and I've got no issues with that. He's got a total of 33 at-bats above Double-A (all in the big leagues last September) and a few months of minor-league action won't hurt him. Of course, we don't know how long he might be there. If he hits well and there's a need at the big league level, he could end up shoving his way into the lineup sooner rather than later. If not, he'll just continue to get seasoning. We know he'll be playing with the Rangers at some point in 2013.

Olt, I think, is different. He plays the corner infield positions and is learning right field (he played out there some in the final few innings of Thursday's game). He could be a bat off the bench and fill in at various spots when needed. And depending on what happens when MLB finishes its investigation into anti-aging clinic in Miami that was also apparently selling performance-enhancing drugs, Olt could get more time in right field if Nelson Cruz isn't available. We'll have to wait and see.

PODCAST
Ron Washington joins Galloway & Company to discuss his decision not to rest starters last seaon, what Lance Berkman brings to the Rangers and much more. Listen

Olt has the bat and versatility to help this team now. And at this time, while it's beneficial that both players get as many at-bats as they can, I'll take Olt because I think there could be more of a need and spot for him on this club than there is Profar.

Karabell's thoughts:

With no guarantees that either of these promising players wins Opening Day roles, I have to take the player with the higher fantasy upside. It's Profar, and quite easily. He's a middle infielder with pop and speed and he looks like he's ready, not on the level of a Mike Trout, to certainly be an immediate impact player. Profar recently turned 20 years old, but what does that even mean anymore after what Trout and Bryce Harper accomplished? It wouldn't surprise me if Profar reaches double digits in both home runs and stolen bases for the Rangers in 2013, and does so even if, like Trout in 2012, he spends April in the minor leagues. He's that talented, and the middle infield spots in fantasy these days are not blessed with depth.

Olt has upside as well, but from a fantasy sense, a corner infielder with power -- and it's far from assured he'd hit more than 20 home runs given 500 at-bats -- isn't all that uncommon. I think Olt has a better shot to make the Rangers in April, perhaps pushing Mitch Moreland aside or facing the lefties Lance Berkman should never face, but he just wouldn't be all that valuable. Profar's the pick for sure.

Ok. Your turn. Who has the better 2013 (at the major-league level): Jurickson Profar or Mike Olt?

PODCAST
Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss his biggest concerns for the Rangers heading into the season, how he would handle the Elvis Andrus-Jurickson Profar dilemma and negotiation tactics when dealing with agent Scott Boras. Listen

By sticking to the plan and staying patient, the Texas Rangers have ensured they'll be competitive for years to come.

ESPN asked three of their top baseball analysts -- Jim Bowden, Keith Law and Buster Olney -- to rank all 30 teams in five different categories in an attempt to measure how well each team is set up for sustained success over the next five years.

For the first time, the Rangers didn't top these rankings, but they're right in the rear-view mirror of the St. Louis Cardinals at No. 2.

A snippet:

While some may criticize them for allowing core players such as Josh Hamilton, C.J. Wilson and Mike Napoli to walk as free agents, they deserve credit for discipline and sticking to their philosophy of not overvaluing any one player. Even without Hamilton, this team will be competitive for years to come, though it might take a small step back in 2013.

To see the entire rankings -- and everything they had to say about the Rangers -- click here.

* That future is buoyed by phenom Jurickson Profar, who should be a mainstay for years to come. ESPN Insider Dan Symborski was asked to rank the top 30 players in baseball -- for 2018. He slots Profar at No. 8. Who's ahead of him? Check it out.

* Another piece of the puzzle, obviously, is Yu Darvish. But the Rangers won't have to wait long for him to reach his peak. In fact, ESPN fantasy baseball writer Mike Sheets says he just might be among the top five pitchers in the game this season.

It's hard to poke holes in any of ESPN's preseason top-five starting pitchers -- Justin Verlander, Kershaw, Felix Hernandez, Stephen Strasburg and Price -- but consider that three hurlers who ranked outside the preseason top-10 last year (Price, Cain and R.A. Dickey) finished 2012 in the top five. That's what I'm counting on Darvish doing this year. You don't have to draft him in the top five. You can, however, draft him with reasonable confidence that he'll finish the season there.