SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Elvis Andrus has been to two World Series and two All-Stars Games in his four-year career, but he still views himself as a rookie.
In two years, though, the 24-year-old is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career and his contract status has been heavily discussed this off-season. The Rangers and Andrus' agent, Scott Boras, have had conversations this winter about a long-term extension, but nothing has gotten too serious.Andrus arrived at spring training Thursday morning and addressed his status."We're going to continue to talk," said Andrus, who signed a three-year, $14.4 million extension through 2014 last off-season."We have to be on the same page. I've still got two more years. I'm not worried about it.... I've been hearing a lot of things, a lot of rumors. That's part of the game."Andrus' status has been a topic of conversation because the Rangers have several shortstop prospects on the verge of being ready for the big leagues, led by Jurickson Profar.The Rangers would like to keep Andrus long-term, but face an uphill battle as Boras' clients tend to explore the free-agent market. There have been exceptions, such as Jered Weaver signing a five-year extension in 2011 with the Angels, but Andrus is in a different situation than those players."A lot of those guys are married and have kids," Andrus said. "For me, it's a little different. I'm still super young. I have no wife, no kids. I'm going to continue and just let the things flow."For now, Andrus is ready to spend a couple weeks with the Rangers before leaving to join the Venezuelan team in the World Baseball Classic.Playing backupRon Washington reiterated Thursday that A.J. Pierzynski is the team's starting catcher, and Geovany Soto is the backup.Soto was non-tendered by the Rangers this off-season before agreeing to a one-year deal on Dec. 3. At the time, it looked as though Soto would get the bulk of the catching duties but the team added Pierzynski three weeks later."That's something I can't control," Soto said. "I'm here to do my job and whatever they want me to do, I'll do it. We've got a goal here to go back to the postseason and win the World Series."Soto joined the Rangers at the trade deadline last season, and batted .196 with five home runs and 25 RBIs in 47 games. Soto admitted those numbers justified the Rangers' decision to non-tender him, and he's out to show he's better than that."I'm capable of a lot more," Soto said. "I just want to make a statement and prove to them that I can play and hit."Pitchers on the mendJoakim Soria and Colby Lewis are ahead of schedule, pitching coach Mike Maddux said.Soria (Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery) is throwing bullpen sessions, and should be ready to go at some point in May. Lewis (surgery on a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow) could be throwing off a mound by the first week of March and is on target for a June 1 return.Maddux didn't have as promising of reports on Neftali Feliz and Matt West, who each had Tommy John surgery last season.Maddux doesn't expect to have Feliz until late in the year, and West -- a top prospect -- is likely out for the season.Tickets to VegasTickets for the Rangers-Cubs exhibition games in Las Vegas on March 16-17 go on sale Monday. They are priced $35 to $50 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.Drew Davison, 817-390-7760Twitter: @drewdavison
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