--RHP Eric Hurley, who was expected to contend for a spot in the starting rotation in 2009, has already been knocked out for the season because of rotator cuff surgery. Hurley missed the last two months of last year after developing inflammation in his right shoulder. Hurley was one of the Rangers' two first-round draft picks in 2004. He made his major league debut last year and went 1-2 with a 5.47 ERA before suffering the shoulder injury.

--C Adam Melhuse, who spent parts of the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Rangers, has been signed to a minor league contract and invited to spring training. Melhuse almost certainly won't break camp with the Rangers but would be an option as a backup if something happens to C Jarrod Saltalamacchia or C Taylor Teagarden.

--CF Josh Hamilton looks as if he has lost weight, but he said he's the heaviest he's ever been after adding lean muscle during his stint at Athletes Performance Institute in Arizona. Hamilton said he weighs 240 pounds. Hamilton wants to be a little more durable after struggling some last August in his first full season of playing time in the majors.

--The Rangers are reintroducing red to their uniforms for 2009. The club will add red "alternate" tops and hats. The club wore red as a primary color from 1994 to 2000. The Rangers made all three of their playoff appearances during that stretch.

--The decision to sign INF Omar Vizquel leaves INFs Travis Metcalf, German Duran and Joaquin Arias in limbo. Metcalf has gone from the presumed starter at third base to likely expendable. Duran, who spent much of last year as the utility infielder, and Arias likely don't have roles on the big-league club.

BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Career games played at a position other than shortstop for INF Omar Vizquel, who signed a minor league contract last week. Vizquel will compete to be the backup middle infielder. He has played one game at second in his career and one in right field.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I've heard he's a special player with all the tools that a manager and general manager look for. My job is going to be to help him become a major league player. A lot of young players get into slumps early and get down on themselves. My job is to keep him focused." -- INF Omar Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove winner, on his role as a mentor to 20-year-old rookie SS Elvis Andrus.