--RHP Kevin Millwood, who was challenged last fall by club president Nolan Ryan to have a full spring training or lose his rotation spot, had a solid first outing of the spring. Millwood allowed just one baserunner in two scoreless innings in the club's second exhibition of the spring. In each of his first three years in Texas, Millwood has pitched very limited "A" game innings during the spring either because of his own desires or a number of nagging injuries. Either way, it has impacted his performance at the start to the season.
--The Rangers are searching for answers at cleanup and used 3B Michael Young in the spot in an intrasquad game. With the club hoping to have lefties in the Nos. 3 (OF Josh Hamilton) and No. 5 (DH Hank Blalock) spots, the Rangers would like a right-handed hitter for the cleanup spot. Young is not a big power threat and would seem an odd choice there. The more likely options are OF Nelson Cruz, who got off to an impressive start in exhibition play, or OF Andruw Jones, if he rebounds from two terrible seasons. --OF Marlon Byrd said he is hopeful of being ready to play in exhibitions by March 10, which would give him almost a full month of games to get ready for the season. Byrd had offseason micro-fracture surgery on his left knee and has so far been limited.
--OF Andruw Jones, attempting to restart his career, struck out in each of his first five spring training at-bats. Jones is in camp on a minor league deal, trying to make the team as a fourth outfielder.
BY THE NUMBERS: 83 -- The most games started in right field in a season by a Ranger since 2000. Richard Hidalgo started 83 there in 2005. Last year eight players started at least one game in right. OF David Murphy, who figures to spend most of his time in left field this year, led the team with 43 starts.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I hate to lose. But I feel better about the organization today than I have since I became the owner." -- Owner Tom Hicks, discussing the state of the franchise as he enters his 11th full season as owner. Counting 1998, in which he officially took over at midseason, Hicks has experienced just three winning seasons.
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