--LHP Eddie Guardado, who pitched effectively for Texas last year before being dealt to Minnesota for minor league RHP Mark Hamburger, signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. Guardado, 38, is expected to make the Opening Day roster, however, and will likely pitch in a setup role in front of LHP C.J. Wilson or RHP Frank Francisco.
--RHP Jason Jennings signed a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. Jennings pitched for the Rangers last April before being diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon muscle. He was 0-5 with an 8.56 ERA. He is not expected to contend for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. --The Rangers were caught with the team's top management expressing different opinions on the future of OF Josh Hamilton last week. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram quoted club president Nolan Ryan saying Hamilton would move from center to right field to take some burden off his body. The next day, however, GM Jon Daniels said that while the topic had been discussed internally, the Rangers did not plan to move Hamilton this season.
--Free agent OF Andruw Jones recently worked out at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in front of hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo, GM Jon Daniels and others, but the club has not expressed any desire in going much further with talks. Jones has hit just .205 over the last two seasons and has averaged a strikeout every 3.6 at-bats.
BY THE NUMBERS: 30 -- Number of pitchers who appeared in games for the Rangers last year. Eight have already moved on to other organizations either via free agency or trade.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think with C.J. (Wilson) and Frankie (Francisco), they can use a nice calming effect down there like Eddie. They need a guy who can talk to them about situations and help them get ready. All the things that Eddie brings, those guys can really use." -- Manager Ron Washington, discussing the impact he hopes veteran LHP Eddie Guardado will have on his two young closer candidates.
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