:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30528729/20140322_jla_aa9_124.0.jpg)
Well, there was a spring training game yesterday, but that is sort of a sideline to the main story, which is the announcements made early yesterday about Tanner Scheppers making the rotation and Joakim Soria being named the team's closer.
Jeff Wilson has a story on the decision to make Scheppers a starter, put Ogando in the bullpen, and name Soria the closer.
T.R. Sullivan also has a story on the moves, quoting Ron Washington talking about Tanner Scheppers' "electric stuff" this spring, and mentioning that the team had concerns about Alexi Ogando's ability to stay healthy in the rotation all season.
Evan Grant offers his thoughts on the morning's announcements in a blog post at the DMN Rangers blog.
Richard Durrett writes that Joakim Soria earned the closer job with his performance this spring.
Evan Grant takes a deeper look at the Feliz situation, with quotes from Ron Washington, and with Jon Daniels responding to a question about whether the Rangers mishandled him in putting him in the bullpen early on, then asking him to move to the rotation.
Gil Lebreton has a column on the Scheppers promotion, with quotes from Jon Daniels praising Scheppers' work ethic and from Scheppers about getting a hug from Wash, and on the Feliz situation, with Lebreton suggesting Feliz is Round Rock-bound if his velocity doesn't return in a hurry.
Kevin Sherrington has a column on Scheppers in the rotation and the state of the rotation in general.
Meanwhile, regarding yesterday's game, Wilson's game story talks about starter Tommy Hanson having a bad outing at a bad time, getting knocked around while trying to show he deserves a spot in the team's rotation.
Evan Grant's game story talks about Tommy Hanson's struggles putting the Rangers in a difficult spot in regards to his roster spot, as he is guaranteed $500,000 if he's still on the 40 man roster on Wednesday, and is guaranteed another $1.5 million on top of that if he is on the Opening Day roster.
The S-T's notes talk about J.P. Arencibia and Robinson Chirinos vying for the backup catcher spot, Josh Wilson and Adam Rosales vying for the utility infielder spot (with Brent Lillibridge having been sent down), and Jose Contreras being given his release, at his request.
Sullivan's notes include quotes from Jon Daniels about Colby Lewis being "the story of the spring," the backup catcher battle, Tanner Scheppers' wanting to focus on staying healthy and productive all season as a starter, and a decision looming on Tommy Hanson.
The S-T's "Spring Break" piece has Michael Choice talking about his local ties.
