SURPRISE, Ariz. — Ivan Rodriguez is the newest member of the Texas Rangers’ front office staff.
Rodriguez will serve as a special assistant to general manager Jon Daniels. He will also be an instructor and ambassador for the team.“He’s probably the best home-grown player in the history of the franchise,” Daniels said. “He should be a Ranger. And he’s got a true passion for being a resource for players.”Rodriguez, who played with the Rangers from 1991-2002 and again in 2009, will make his first appearance at spring training next weekend. He already has begun working with a few of the Rangers’ prospects, notably catcher Jorge Alfaro last month at the organization’s facility in the Dominican Republic.Rodriguez called Alfaro the “future” and said he planned on helping him develop into a big-league catcher. There’s probably no better mentor than Rodriguez, a 14-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove winner.Rodriguez retired after 21 seasons last April at Rangers Ballpark, leaving the game as one of the best catchers of all-time. The 1999 American League MVP played in 2,543 major league games, collected 2,844 hits, swatted 311 home runs and was a career .296 hitter .Outside of instructing, there is also a business side to Rodriguez’s new role. He will help out with community relations and sponsorship events.“I’m very happy to be back in Texas and it’s going to keep me in the game,” Rodriguez said on a conference call with reporters. “Even though I’m not in between the lines, I’ll be in baseball in other ways by coaching, working with the kids, working with the front office guys. As long as I’m in baseball, I’m OK with it.”Games beginDerek Holland starts today for the Rangers in the annual charity game against the Royals to kick off the Cactus League season.Holland is scheduled for a 50-pitch, three-inning outing and is looking to start the 2013 season off right.“I’m expecting big things out of myself,” Holland said. “We already know what No. 1 and 2 [Matt Harrison and Yu Darvish] can do, so I’ve got to do my job now. I didn’t have the year I wanted to last year, so it starts now.”Two regulars who won’t be in today’s lineup are third baseman Adrian Beltre and designated hitter Lance Berkman. Both are dealing with minor injuries and the Rangers aren’t going to push them early in spring.Mike Olt will start at third and Jeff Baker will be the designated hitter. Baker is a player to watch this spring as he fits the bill as a right-handed bat off the bench who can play every infield position, except shortstop, and the corner outfield spots.“It’s not easy, it’s not always fun, but it’s one of those things I’ve done it my whole career,” said Baker, 31. “You’ve got to take that mindset where the biggest goal is winning.”Pride of nationsThe World Baseball Classic rosters are in and there are seven players from the Rangers organization listed — LHP Derek Holland (United States), OF Nelson Cruz and INF Leury Garcia (Dominican Republic), SS Elvis Andrus (Venezuela), C Jose Felix (Mexico) and OF Engel Beltre and OF Gabe Suarez (Spain).Garcia still wasn’t fully committed Thursday, as he wanted to discuss it with the Rangers, but will have to make a decision by today. Garcia is a candidate for a bench spot with the team, which means more time in big-league camp could bolster his chances.Jurickson Profar faced a similar decision early this spring, and decided to turn down an opportunity to play for the Netherlands in the WBC.“These are young guys and it’s an unbelievable honor to represent your country,” Jon Daniels said. “The flip side, it’s their first big-league camp. What’s missed in that too is that you’re not just trying to make the club on Opening Day, but that opportunity may be in May or July, and if you’re a young guy that time in front of the big-league manager and decision-makers is valuable. I understand these are tough calls.”For prospects such as Felix who aren’t expected to compete for a big-league job, it’s an easy decision.“Very excited,” Felix said. “I can’t wait.”Drew Davison, 817-390-7760 Twitter: @drewdavison
