Star-Telegram · Feb 25, 2017
The Surprise Five from Friday at Rangers camp
The first game of spring training arrives Saturday, and it can’t come soon enough for the players in the Texas Rangers’ clubhouse.
Mike Napoli, for one, can’t stand taking live batting practice for the simple fact that he can’t get motivated to try to cream a ball against one of his teammates. He said that he’ll have ample juice Saturday against the Kansas City Royals as the Rangers’ starter at first base.
Manager Jeff Banister said that the lineup won’t be loaded with regulars, and, indeed, the lineups posted for the weekend won’t be what he draws up for the April 3 season opener. If, by some chance, they are what he draws up, brace for a long season.