Spring training position battles
A daily rundown of the MLB competitions for playing time in March and April
Texas Rangers: Catcher
Tenuous times in Texas? Jarrod Saltalamacchia was starting to reassert himself as the Rangers' No. 1 catcher over Taylor Teagarden before being sidelined with back and neck spasms, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. Teagarden will get the bulk of the playing time while Saltalamacchia remains sidelined. The injury prompted Texas to make a deal for veteran backup catcher Matt Treanor on Monday.
Treanor is just a .232 career hitter, but the Rangers view him as valuable defensive insurance if the catcher with the longest name in baseball is out longer than expected.
To see more position battles -- including who takes over closer duties for the Rockies, who earned rotation spots for the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Pirates, as well as another update on Aroldis Chapman -- you must be an ESPN Insider.
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE MLB HEADLINES
- Mets rookie P Wheeler wins 1st career start
- Red Sox put P Buchholz (neck strain) on DL
- Yanks' Tex goes on DL; surgery for Youkilis
- O's homer twice off Verlander to top Tigers
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
2010 Position Battles
Need to know the latest on MLB position battles? Insider has you covered. Check here every day for updates.
- 4/1: The Indians' new left fielder
- 3/31: Who's on second for the Dodgers?
- 3/30: The Astros' closer for now
- 3/29: The Twins' closer replacements
- 3/26: The Braves' new right fielder
- 3/25: Who's in the mix for the Giants' outfield
- 3/24: The Mets' messy bullpen
- 3/23: Who will catch for the Rangers
- 3/18: Who could fill out the Tigers' rotation
- 3/17: The Nationals' right field options
- 3/16: The Cubs' second base winner?
- 3/15: A new catcher for the Mariners
- 3/12: The A's shortstop competition
- 3/11: Who's on first for the Indians
- 3/10: Backup plans for the Rockies' closer
- 3/9: The Marlins' third base shuffle
- 3/8: Who may close for the Indians
- 3/5: The Mariners' fifth starter competition
- 3/4: The Yankees' bullpen
- 3/3: The Phillies' fifth starter
- 3/2: The Reds' left field situation
- 3/1: Catching duties for the Rockies
- Law: Expectations for Wheeler, Myers and Cole
- Szymborski: Calculating Kershaw's worth
- MLB Draft: Rodon, Turner could make history
- Olney: New low for A's ballpark
- Swydan: San Diego's sneaky-deep lineup

