Spring Break: Rangers players connect the links

Crossing paths

New faces line the Texas Rangers' spring training clubhouse and introductions were common Friday when the full squad reported for big-league camp. But some are familiar faces -- or at least names -- to a handful of players as they are linked through trades or are reunited from a previous organization.

A.J. Pierzynski was dealt by the Minnesota Twins to the San Francisco Giants in 2003 for three players, including right-hander Joe Nathan. Pierzynski was also teammates with left-hander Neal Cotts from 2005-06 with the Chicago White Sox.

Jake Brigham and Geovany Soto are forever linked as the players swapped in last year's Rangers-Cubs trade. "That's the business side of baseball," Soto said. "Some things we don't really understand how they all work. But I just go out there and put on my gear and catch." Said Brigham: "I talked to him the other day and said, 'Hey, I'm the guy they traded over here for you.' But it's cool. It probably doesn't happen too often that those two guys are in spring training together the next season."

Outfielder Aaron Cunningham and Cory Burns were part of a one-for-one deal between the Padres and Indians last off-season. Cunningham went to the Indians while Burns went to the Padres. "I didn't even know he was here," Burns said. "We talked a little bit about it and it's actually good to have someone who has been through that process before."

Cunningham has another tie in the clubhouse. He and first baseman Brandon Allen came up through the White Sox organization. Cunningham was traded to the D-backs during the 2007 season. In 2009, Allen was sent to the D-backs, but Cunningham had been dealt to the A's by then. However, Allen followed Cunningham's organizational path by being dealt to Oakland in 2011. "He kind of followed me around, but we were never in the same trade," Cunningham said. "It's pretty crazy. It's just the way baseball goes down." Said Allen: "It's pretty funny how it all works out, how we all cross each others' path."

Injury report

Here is Friday's injury report:

Joakim Soria threw a 20-pitch bullpen session with no problems.

Colby Lewis will increase his long-toss to 135 feet today.

Roman Mendez played long-toss at 120 feet today.

Justin Miller will increase his bullpen session to 20 pitches today.

He said it

"Spring training means the finish of vacation. ...But you get that itch to come back and do it all over again."

-- Adrian Beltre

Number of the day

63Every player reported to big-league camp on time and will take part in today's first full-squad workout.

Videos of the day

Watch Nelson Cruz address his reported link to performance-enhancing drugs for the first time, as well as manager Ron Washington's daily media briefing on our Rangers blog, Foul Territory, at star-telegram.com/rangers.

-- Drew Davison

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