Monday Morning Rangers Update

The Royals took the Battle for Surprise with two wins and a tie. Matt Harrison had a bad first inning. Mike Olt struck out again. None of it matters.

Jeff Wilson writes about the finale of the Rangers' opening spring series against the Royals wherein the Rangers lost and Harrison was roughed up.

Ron Matejko covers for Richard Durrett over at ESPN Dallas by bringing back the Rapid Reaction for the Rangers' 7-5 loss to the KC Royals. No offense to Mr. Matejko, but I can't imagine anything more futile than reacting, rapidly or otherwise, to a February spring training game. (GDTs are excused.)

T.R. Sullivan has quotes from Harrison about the windy conditions in Surprise and needing to put hitters away and all that but I'm sure he was way more concerned with just getting his work in.

Wilson writes about "old and gray" Lance Berkman taking on the role of acting assistant hitting coach and resident 2011 World Series braggart.

Behind the DMN paywall, Evan Grant has a piece on how Ian Kinsler came to terms with how the 2012 season ended, his worst season of his career, and how he hopes to improve in 2013.

Sullivan writes about how Martin Perez's bid to become the No. 5 starter begins today in Scottsdale against Colorado. Perez says he's "excited but not nervous."

Grant has a blog post about Perez being followed on the mound today by Justin Grimm who is one of Perez's biggest competitors for the final spot in the rotation.

Kyle McClellan is another option for the rotation that the Rangers are looking at, but as Drew Davison notes, McClellan has been slowed by back soreness.

Davison writes about former Ranger then former Cub and now current Ranger Jake Brigham who is in camp after a yo-yoing year in 2012.

Lastly, Sullivan's Notes cover Jurickson Profar and Leury Garcia alternating between SS and 2B, McClellan's injury status, Nick Tepesch impressing yesterday, and other various items.