SURPRISE, Ariz. — Baseball is a glamorous job, no doubt about it, but that doesn’t mean that players are completely out of touch with reality.
Nothing is more real than being a parent, and many players in Rangers camp can attest to that.“Marriage and parenting are the two biggest challenges you’re going to face in life,” said outfielder David Murphy, a father of three. “The way your kids end up is going to be a reflection of the way you raised them. That’s a big responsibility.”The players, just like all other parents, receive tips on how to survive parenthood, and a few offered their own pieces of advice to those about to welcome children to their families. Michael Kirkman (father of twin girls): “Let ’em play. You can be protective of them, but let them find their own way. That’s what we did with ours, and they’re fairly independent when they’re on their own.” Murphy: “Make sure to read between the lines. Kids seem pretty simple, but there’s a lot more than meets the eye. If a child acts out, it might seem to us that they’re tired, but something might be going on in their heart.” Mitch Moreland (father of a son): “Patience. I don’t really know how else to put it. Sometimes I get a little anxious and need to slow it down. I’m probably trying to make him grow up faster.” Ian Kinsler (father of two): “When you have a job where you travel a lot, it’s nice to have a wife who’s really good with children to take some of the stress away. It’s a huge blessing, and I have that.” Adrian Beltre (father of three): “Just to have discipline. Discipline has a lot do with what you come to in life. If you know what to do and have the discipline to follow in it, it’ll be easier to do everything else.”Injury report DH Lance Berkman (right calf inflammation): Was a full participant in all drills Tuesday and expects to make his spring debut Thursday. RHP Colby Lewis (flexor tendon surgery in July): Will long-toss today, take off Thursday and throw his first bullpen session Friday. 3B Adrian Beltre (right calf inflammation): Participated in all drills. OF Engel Beltre (left shoulder soreness): Was to see an specialist Tuesday. RHP Kyle McClellan (shoulder soreness): Scheduled to long-toss today. RHP Joakim Soria (Tommy John elbow surgery in April): Will throw a 35-pitch bullpen session Monday. RHP Neftali Feliz (Tommy John elbow surgery in August.): Throwing to 75 feet. RHP Tanner Scheppers (strained left hamstring): Could throw a bullpen session today. 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 November.): Threw off half-mound Monday. RHP Wilmer Font (mild shoulder tendinitis): Throwing off flat ground to 90 feet.Videos of the day At the Foul Territory blog, manager Ron Washington talks about Martin Perez, and Yu Darvish talks about his first spring start.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
