Scottsdale, Ariz. — Getting to know
RHP Coty Woods The Rule 5 draft is the highlight at each winter meeting because it signals the end of the winter meetings. For Coty Woods last year, the draft signaled a chance at a new beginning.He wasn’t struggling in the Colorado organization, but the Rockies left him exposed in the draft. The Rangers took him, which resulted in him going on the 40-man roster and getting a look this spring.Rule 5 picks must stay in the major leagues all season or be offered back to their original club for $25,000, half of the price paid to make the selection. A trade can also be worked out to keep the player.Woods, a side-arming right-hander who faced the Rockies on Monday, hopes to stay put.“Not because I don’t like the Rockies,” said Woods, a 33rd-round pick from Middle Tennessee State in 2009. “I want to stay here, but if I do go back, I’m back where I started.” Is being a Rule 5 pick an advantage or a disadvantage? I think it’s an advantage. I got to be on a 40-man roster and make the team. Colorado gave me every opportunity. In the end it wasn’t in their best interest to protect me. The Rangers picked me up and gave me a chance. That’s all I can ask for. You pitched at Triple A Colorado Springs last year with a 7.40 ERA. How is pitching at elevation? I didn’t have a lot of success with it, but I feel like it’s something you’ve got to get used to. I was glad I got the opportunity because if I was going to pitch in Denver, where better to get used to it than in Colorado Springs, a thousand feet higher. How did you become a side-armer? In high school, I was an outfielder and I wasn’t very good at it. My coach came up to me one day before a summer-league game, and said ‘Well, I want you to pitch today, but I want you to throw sidearm, too.’ I went out and threw a no-hitter. That’s how it started.Injury report DH Lance Berkman (right calf inflammation): Ran bases Monday, could play as soon as Wednesday. RHP Colby Lewis (flexor tendon surgery in July): Threw 20 pitches off front of mound Monday. 3B Adrian Beltre (right calf inflammation): Ran the bases Monday. RHP Kyle McClellan (shoulder soreness): Could throw off a mound Wednesday. RHP Joakim Soria (Tommy John elbow surgery in April): Threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Monday. RHP Neftali Feliz (Tommy John elbow surgery in Aug.): Throwing out to 75 feet. RHP Tanner Scheppers (strained left hamstring): Day-to-day. RHP Justin Miller (Tommy John in April): Threw 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday. RHP Matt West (Tommy John on Aug. 12): Throwing out to 60 feet. RHP Roman Mendez (surgery for stress fracture in elbow in Nov.): Threw off front of mound Monday. RHP Wilmer Font (mild shoulder tendinitis): Throwing off flat ground. OF Engel Beltre (left shoulder soreness): Day-to-day.Videos of the daySee manager Ron Washington talk about Lance Berkman’s return and Nick Tepesch’s debut, and see Derek Holland make quick work of Guilder Rodriguez during live batting practice on the Foul Territory blog at star-telegram.com/sports.
Martin Perez makes strong spring debut
Notes: Rangers pleased with Colby Lewis’ progress
Lance Berkman isn’t the retiring kind
Rangers fall to Rockies, 9-1, as Perez shines in start
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
