Texas Rangers

Rangers avoid arbitration with Wilson, Cruz

The Rangers have agreed to contracts with left-hander C.J. Wilson and outfielder Nelson Cruz for the 2011 season, avoiding arbitration with both.

Wilson will earn $7 million this year with a chance at another $150,000 in incentives. Cruz will earn $3.65 million with a chance at $150,000 in incentives.

Wilson more than doubled his 2010 salary of $3.1 million while Cruz' deal is more than seven times his 2010 salary.

Josh Hamilton, Darren O'Day and Frank Francisco are also eligible for arbitration.

- Anthony Andro

John Rhadigan new Rangers play-by-plan man?

According to a pair of sources, Rhadigan is the likely replacement for Josh Lewin as the team's television play-by-play man.

The Rangers said they are making progress on a hire, but no deal is done.

If Rhadigan does get the job, he'll replace Josh Lewin. Lewin and the Rangers parted ways after the 2010 season. He had worked with Tom Grieve on the TV broadcasts for nine seasons.

- Anthony Andro

Here's the complete Rangers spring training broadcast sked

Download 2011 TEXAS RANGERS SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE[1]

Hamilton showing improvement, Rangers say

American League MVP Josh Hamilton is showing "significant improvement" after being diagnosed on Monday with an early case of pneumonia, the Texas Rangers said today.

Hamilton is expected to be released from an area hospital by this weekend.

The current Rangers lineup for Fan Fest

Among the current and former Rangers confirmed to participate at Texas Rangers 2011 Fan Fest are:

Engel Beltre, Derek Holland, Darren O’Day, Thad Bosley, Tommy Hunter, Darren Oliver, Nelson Cruz, Ferguson Jenkins*, Gaylord Perry*, Chris Davis, Ian Kinsler, Gary Pettis, Cody Eppley, Michael Kirkman, Arthur Rhodes, Jose Felix, Colby Lewis, Nolan Ryan*, Craig Gentry, Mike Maddux, Jim Sundberg,Tom Grieve, David Murphy, Matt Treanor, Matt Harrison, Jackie Moore, Ron Washington, Mike Henneman, Pete O’Brien, C.J. Wilson

Autographs limited to first 300 at tonight's Caravan stop

Because of the unprecedented demand at the early caravan stops, the Texas Rangers and Academy Sports and Outdoors have instituted a new policy for tonight’s appearance at the Academy Sports & Outdoors, 6101 Interstate 20 (at Bryant Irvin Road) in Fort Worth.

The appearance is from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Participants include Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Tom Grieve and Jim Sundberg.

Autographs for tonight's town hall will be limited to the first 300 people. Seating for the town hall session will be limited to the first 200 people. Autograph passes will be distributed two hours before the appearance. Fans with a pass may receive one autograph per player. There will be no personalized autographs or posed photos. Fans are asked to pay for all merchandise before the start of the appearance. Free autograph cards are available upon request at the autograph table.

Rangers' Hamilton hospitalized

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, the reigning American League MVP, has been hospitalized with pneumonia.

According to a press release from the team, Hamilton went to an area hospital Monday with early stages of pneumonia and is expected to be released today.

The release said Hamilton is expected to resume his conditioning and baseball activities in the next several days. Rangers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training Feb. 16.

While Hamilton is only 29, it’s not unusual for someone of his age to get pneumonia.

“It’s an infection like anything else,” said Dr. Andrew Reubin, an emergency physician at Texas Health Fort Worth. “It tends to occur more in older people, but it can happen at any age.”

Reubin said depending on how early the pneumonia is caught, the timeline for his return to baseball activities is reasonable. Reubin said most people who catch pneumonia early are normally treated by oral antibiotics. Reubin said pneumonia can be a viral or bacterial infection, but a bacterial case the more common.

Hamilton, who is eligible for arbitration, won the batting title last season with a .359 average, with 32 home runs and 100 RBIs in 133 games.

- Anthony Andro

Here is a colorful version of your Rangers schedule

Download 2011Schedule[1]

Rangers release Winter Caravan stops

And here they are.

The 2011 Caravan begins this Friday with the first Town Hall at the Academy Sports and Outdoors in Fort Worth. The complete schedule of Rangers appearances at Academy Sports and Outdoors locations (all are open free of charge to the public; schedule of participants is subject to change; number of autographs to be signed may be limited depending on location):

Friday, January 7—Town Hall/Autograph Session, Academy, 5836 North Tarrant Parkway, Fort Worth, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

 Scheduled to appear: Tommy Hunter, David Murphy, Jackie Moore, Jim Sundberg, Dave Barnett

Tuesday, January 11—Autograph Session, 445 Forest Square St., Longview, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

 Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Tom Grieve

Wednesday, January 12—Town Hall/Autograph Session, Academy 6101 I-20 (at Bryant Irvin Road), Fort Worth, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

 Scheduled to appear: Thad Levine, Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Jim Sundberg, Tom Grieve

Thursday, January 13—Autograph Session, 5802 19^th St. (at West Loop 289), Lubbock, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

 Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Tom Grieve

Friday, January 14—Autograph Session, 3950 John Knox Drive (at Cedar Run Road), Abilene, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

 Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Tom Grieve

Tuesday, January 18—Autograph Session, 1101 Walton Drive, Texarkana, 5:30-6:30

 Scheduled to appear: Michael Kirkman, Thad Bosley, Dave Barnett, others TBA

Wednesday, January 19—Town Hall/Autograph Session, 3677 Emporium, Mesquite, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

 Scheduled to appear: Chuck Greenberg, Thad Levine, Michael Kirkman, Thad Bosley, Jim Sundberg, others TBA

Thursday, January 20—Town Hall/Autograph Session, 1101 West Arbrook Blvd., Arlington, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

 Scheduled to appear: Colby Lewis, Matt Treanor, Michael Kirkman, Mike Maddux, Jim Sundberg, Tom Grieve

Tuesday, January 25—Autograph Session, 15350 IH-35 North (at Olympia Parkway), Selma (San Antonio area), 6:30-7:30 p.m.  Scheduled to appear: Tommy Hunter, Andy Hawkins, Eric Nadel, others TBA

Wednesday, January 26—Autograph Session, 5400 Brodie Lane, Sunset Valley (Austin area), 5:30-6:30 p.m.  Scheduled to appear: Ron Washington, Tommy Hunter, Andy Hawkins, Eric Nadel

Thursday, January 27—Autograph Session, 210 North New Road, Waco, 5:30-6:30 p.m.  Scheduled to appear: Tommy Hunter, Ian Kinsler, Darren Oliver Andy Hawkins, Eric Nadel

Friday, January 28—Autograph Session, 3201 Lawrence Road, Wichita Falls, 5:00-6:00 p.m.  Scheduled to appear:  Tommy Hunter, others TBA

Wednesday, February 2—Town Hall/Autograph Session, 12700 South Freeway, Fort Worth, 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Scheduled to appear: Chuck Greenberg, Jon Daniels, Tommy Hunter, Darren Oliver, Jackie Moore, Jim Sundberg, Tom Grieve

Thursday, February 3—Town Hall/Autograph Session, 1220 West University, McKinney, 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Scheduled to appear: Chuck Greenberg, Ian Kinsler, David Murphy, Jackie Moore, Jim Sundberg, Eric Nadel

 

Other public appearances will include:

Tuesday, January 11—Autograph Session at Super 1, 3828 Troup Hiway, Tyler, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland, Mitch Moreland, Dave Anderson, Tom Grieve

Saturday, January 15—Autograph Session/Open House with Frisco RoughRiders, Dr Pepper Ballpark, Frisco, 1:30-3:00 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Chuck Greenberg, Derek Holland, Tommy Hunter, Mitch Moreland, David Murphy, Dave Anderson, Steve Buechele

Saturday, January 22—Autograph Session at Brookshire’s, 511 North Stewart St., Azle, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear: Derek Holland and Darren O’Day

Beltre excited about playing for Rangers

New Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre said Wednesday he believed he found the perfect fit for him with the Rangers. Beltre and his agent Scott Boras met with the media after they agreed to a six year, $96- million deal with the Rangers.

The contract is not official yet, but general manager Jon Daniels said that it's awaiting MLB approval. Once the deal is official, the Rangers will have to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Beltre. Beltre, 31, will make $14 million this year, $15 million in 2012, $16 million in 2013, $17 million in 2014 and $18 million in 2015. The 2016 deal for $16 million becomes guaranteed if Beltre gets 600 plate appearances in 2015 or combines for 1,200 or more over the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said he expects Beltre to hit cleanup along with his third base duties. The plan for Michael Young would be to be the team's primary designated hitter as well as a utility infielder. He will see work at first base in spring training. Beltre said he spoke with Young today, but didn't get into details. General manager Jon Daniels said the signing of Beltre means the Rangers will not pursue Vladimir Guerrero.

Beltre will wear No. 29. Julio Borbon, who currently wears 29, will change numbers.

- Anthony Andro