--RHP Doug Mathis was re-signed to a minor league contract and was invited to major league spring training. The club made Mathis a free agent last week when it did not tender him a major league contract. Mathis was 2-1 for the Rangers last year but finished the season on the disabled list because of shoulder issues.
--C Jarrod Saltalamacchia continues to pummel pitching in the Dominican winter league. With a week to go before Christmas, Saltalamacchia was hitting .349 with nine homers in 19 games. He had a .494 on-base percentage and an .841 slugging percentage. --C Max Ramirez, who is the Rangers' No. 3 catcher but could be in line to be the DH on a revamped 2009 team, is still getting interest from the Florida Marlins. Ramirez had hit 12 home runs through 41 games in Venezuela this winter.
--The Rangers are committing $4 million to the first major upgrade at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington since the stadium opened in 1994. The upgrades will include a new video replay scoreboard in left field. Also, the renovations will include about 150 premium seats located behind home plate and along third base that will further reduce already the limited foul territory.
BY THE NUMBERS: 170 2/3 -- Innings RHP Kevin Millwood has averaged the last two seasons. He must pitch at least 180 innings in 2009 to lock in a vesting option for a fifth year on his current contract with the Rangers.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm working hard to stay in good shape. I'm not worried about breaking down. I have plenty of good years left." -- RHP Kevin Millwood, who was challenged by team president Nolan Ryan to lose 20 pounds during the offseason, discussing his injury-plagued 2008 season.
