Commentary

Spring training position battles

A daily rundown of the MLB competitions for playing time in March and April

Updated: March 31, 2010, 4:06 PM ET

By Jason Catania, Charles Curtis and Doug Mittler | ESPN Insider

Texas Rangers: Second base

Kinsler to DL? Finding a replacement for Ian Kinsler is nothing new. After all, the second baseman has made at least one trip to the disabled list in each of his four seasons in the majors.

The Rangers may face that dilemma again, since it appears Kinsler will start the season on the DL, reports T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. Kinsler has been out since March 12 with a sprained right ankle.

If Kinsler is disabled, the Rangers are likely to go with Andres Blanco, who was acquired from the Cubs last weekend, with Joaquin Arias serving as a utility infielder.

Kinsler -- who has been taking practice but has not been running or attempting any type of movement that could aggravate the injury -- could have his DL stint retroactive to as many as nine days ago, which would only keep him out for six days of the regular season.

To see more position battles -- who is a better fit at second for the Dodgers, who won the Orioles' final rotation spot, what the Rangers will do without Ian Kinsler, and more -- you must be an ESPN Insider.