Seattle QB works out with Rangers, belts batting practice homer
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson worked out with the Texas Rangers on Saturday morning, including taking infield and batting practice.
Wilson dressed out with the team and sat in the dugout during the Rangers’ game with the Padres.
Wilson, who visited the team early in camp a year ago, added a few rounds of batting practice this time. He connected on several pitches against Rangers third base coach Tony Beasley, including a home run to left-center field.
“It feels good hitting a home run,” Wilson said. “There’s something special about throwing a touchdown because it’s so hard to get touchdowns, but getting a home run is a good feeling, too.”
Wilson, whom the Rangers drafted in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft in December 2013, was originally drafted in the fourth round by the Rockies in 2010. He spent Friday evening visiting Rangers players and front office personnel at a dinner at Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine’s house.
“This is the first time I had the opportunity to have a conversation with him and he is an impressive guy,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “He is the guy you think he is. What strikes me is how earnest he is and at the same time, wants to be the best in the game. He also has an awareness of what it takes to be the best.”
Wilson played baseball first as a little kid and grew up playing both baseball and football. He instructs kids and parents to play multiple sports, not just because they might excel at both, but to keep a competitive edge.
He hopes to continue to join the Rangers each spring training and still dreams about playing professional baseball, to scratch that itch.
“Oh, all the time. Any time I see the field, see the baselines, a double play, a home run hit, it has crossed my mind for sure,” he said. “There’s always an itch for me. There always probably will be a little bit. I do love playing football and playing for that organization, the Seahawks.”
Wilson, who is something of a motivational speaker, enjoys sharing with other pro athletes and learning things from them.
“I’m grateful to have this amazing opportunity. It’s truly humbling just to be able to play with these guys, these big leaguers,” he said. “Talking to guys like [Adrian] Beltre, Prince Fielder, guys that have done it for so long and so successful. Every swing is with a purpose. Just to have that experience and kind of hear it from other great players in another sport is always great.”
Mixed bag for bullpen
The news keeps getting better for Rangers right-handed reliever Shawn Tolleson. But it’s worse for Ross Ohlendorf.
Tolleson is scheduled to pitch against the Dodgers on Sunday. He feels good after throwing 19 pitches in a light bullpen session Friday. Tolleson had tightness in his right forearm for more than a week, which eventually required an MRI to check whether anything more serious was involved.
The MRI showed nothing and team physician Dr. Keith Meister found nothing in a follow-up exam.
Ohlendorf, however, is again battling a mild strain of his right groin and was assigned to minor league camp Saturday afternoon. He’s been fighting the strain for more than a week and went 10 days without pitching until throwing an inning Thursday against the Reds.
He will begin the season with Round Rock, possibly on the seven-day disabled list as he deals with a groin injury. Fellow right-hander Juan Carlos Oviedo, who was told he will not make the club, requested and was granted his release from a minor league deal.
Levine said Ohlendorf is likely to miss more time than the first occurrence of the injury.
“We feel as if Ross Ohlendorf had a very good spring. He solidified in our minds that he can help the 2015 Texas Rangers,” Levine said. “The fact that he has had re-aggravation of the same injury would suggest we need to give him a little bit more time to heal before we ask him to compete in a game, and we’re going to do just that and evaluate where he is at that time.”
Ohlendorf has pitched well in five innings this spring. He has 11 strikeouts and with no runs allowed on just one hit.
“[The injury] doesn’t diminish our thought that he certainly has a strong chance to help our team in 2015,” Levine said. “Whether that’s Opening Day or down the road is secondary.”
Stefan Stevenson, 817-390-7760
Twitter: @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published March 28, 2015 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Seattle QB works out with Rangers, belts batting practice homer."