Rangers’ position-by-position breakdown

First base

Probable: Neck surgery limited Prince Fielder to 42 games in his first season with the club, the fewest (by far) since his 2005 rookie season. If healthy, and he claims to be 100 percent, his bat should provide a drastic improvement to the offense.

Possible: Mitch Moreland could find himself in a few different spots, including the outfield and as a designated hitter. But he’s also likely to be used as a fill-in when Fielder gets a day off. Utility man Adam Rosales could also be used, if necessary.

Second base

Probable: Rougned Odor is expected to take over where he left off as a rookie in 2014. With Jurickson Profar still recovering from a shoulder injury and the club choosing to work him primarily at shortstop, at least early in spring training while he makes his way back, Odor will be given the chance to cement his stature as the second baseman of the future.

Possible: If Profar shows progress physically and plays well, it’s not out of the question that he could return to second at some point during the season, especially if Odor struggles. But the current expectations are for Profar to begin the season in the minors until he proves he’s ready to return. Rosales provides depth at second.

Third base

Possible: Rosales spelled Beltre at third seven times in 2014. Ryan Rua, who’s expected to contend for time in left field, played 77 games at third between Frisco and Round Rock in 2014 with 16 errors. He also played third once for the Rangers.

Shortstop

Probable: Of all the Rangers with something to prove in 2015, and the list is long, Elvis Andrus appears to be leading the charge. He’ll start his seventh full season looking to rebound from career-low numbers in batting average (.263), on-base percentage (.314), and runs (72, tied with 2009).

Possible: Rosales would be the emergency replacement for Andrus until Profar proves he’s ready to return to the big league club. Most likely, to start the season Rosales will be asked to provide depth all around the infield. Hanser Alberto, an excellent defensive prospect, hit .275 in 50 games at Double A Frisco in 2014 but likely won’t break in with the big league team.

Catcher

Probable: Robinson Chirinos collected 28 extra-base hits in his first full season in the major leagues, but it’s his prowess behind the plate and his handling of pitchers that gives the Rangers hope that he’s a player on the rise.

Possible: The acquisition of Carlos Corporan this winter provides Chirinos with a veteran backup. Corporan caught in 54 games with the Astros in 2014 and has thrown out 33 of 113 runners attempting to steal in four seasons. Tomas Telis would be an option if injuries strike.

Left field

Probable: Ryan Rua has often been the first name out of club management’s mouth for much of the off-season, but the position is wide open entering spring training. Rua impressed in 28 games last September and will be given every shot to earn the job.

Possible: Jake Smolinski also impressed as a rookie last season, batting .349 with eight extra-base hits in 24 games before an injury ended his season. Michael Choice struggled in his first year with the Rangers (.182 batting average) and spent time in the minors, but if he can replicate his inspiring spring from a year ago he could re-earn a starting role. Veterans Ryan Ludwick and left-hitting Nate Schierholtz, who signed minor-league deals with invites to big league camp last week, could earn platoon jobs with solid springs.

Center field

Probable: Despite some communication issues with teammates in the outfield, Leonys Martin showed he could be a reliable and productive everyday player in 2014. His speed makes him a natural to lead off with a combined 67 stolen bases the past two seasons.

Possible: Delino DeShields, who was acquired in the Rule 5 draft from the Astros, is the top candidate to be Martin’s backup. DeShields, the eighth overall selection in the 2010 draft, stole 241 bases in five minor league seasons with the Astros. His average dropped to .236 in 2014, his first year in Double A.

Right field

Probable: After starting 63 games in left field a year ago, Shin-Soo Choo is expected to earn the job in right this spring. He started just 12 games in right in 2014 but spent the bulk of his time there in six full seasons with the Indians.

Possible: Smolinski, Rua, and Moreland, along with Schierholtz, could all be used in right for Choo. In 2013, Schierholtz hit .251 with 21 homers and 68 RBIs in 137 games, including 117 starts in right for the Cubs.

Starting rotation

Possible: Nick Martinez and Tepesch showed improvements in 24 and 22 starts in 2014 but could find it hard to find a spot in the regular rotation if everyone stays healthy. Matt Harrison, who is coming off back surgery, still has much to prove before becoming an option. Martin Perez is expected to return from Tommy John surgery after the All-Star break and will be given a chance to return to the regular rotation. Anthony Ranaudo and Lisalverto Bonilla will start the season in Triple A if they fail to earn the fifth spot in the rotation.

Bullpen

Probable: Closing duties are Neftali Feliz’s to lose. After returning from Tommy John in 2012 and an experiment as a starter, Feliz struggled with his velocity last spring but had 13 saves after rejoining the big-league club in July. Kyuji Fujikawa, who was acquired in the off-season after seeing limited action with the Cubs the past two seasons, is expected to be a set-up man, along with Tanner Scheppers, Roman Mendez and Alex Claudio. Shawn Tolleson was the most reliable bullpen arm in 2014, going 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 71 2/3 innings last season.

Possible: The makeup of the bullpen remains one of the biggest questions entering spring. Besides Feliz as the closer, almost every other role appears up for grabs. Mendez and Claudio showed impressive strides a year ago, but each will have to prove himself this spring. Claudio has an edge being the only left-hander in the pen at the moment. Others, including Phil Klein and Jon Edwards, are all competing for spots. Martinez could become a long relief type if he doesn’t crack the rotation.

This story was originally published February 14, 2015 at 6:53 PM with the headline "Rangers’ position-by-position breakdown."