Review of Rangers’ 2014 season skewed by injuries

64 in 2014

Number in parentheses is games missed while on the disabled list.

Roster locks for 2015 (16 players)

Elvis Andrus: His contract extension kicks in next season. He’s not going anywhere. But he also knows he needs to be better than he has been. That’s a positive.

Adrian Beltre (14 games on DL): The team’s best player will be back next season needing just under 600 plate appearances to make his contract for 2016 vest automatically. Come on, 600.

Robinson Chirinos: The Rangers’ biggest surprise this season was Chirinos, who could very well be the starting catcher on Opening Day next season.

Shin-Soo Choo (34): The hope is that the real Choo, the one signed for $130 million, wasn’t on display this season. Injuries would suggest there is more there.

Yu Darvish (51): The staff ace is healthy, or so the Rangers say. That’s good, because the starting rotation is the biggest concern for 2015.

Neftali Feliz: Answers about who will close next season started to emerge as Feliz hit 97 mph in back-to-back September games. He says he is 100 percent.

Prince Fielder (115): The key to the lineup is a return to All-Star form by Fielder, the slugger who was supposed add punch to the offense, not have neck surgery.

Derek Holland (135): He showed in September that he might be ready to lead the rotation, though making him the No. 1 starter might hurt Darvish’s feelings.

Colby Lewis: Did he show enough to be the No. 5 starter next year? It appears so. He certainly was trending the right way, getting better and stronger on his new hip.

Leonys Martin: Though still not a finished product, he showed signs in September that he could be a leadoff hitter in 2015. But it’ll be frustrating at times.

Roman Mendez: Of all the young relievers, Mendez showed best. He pitched well in high-leverage situations and offers a power arm.

Rougned Odor: One of the biggest things to take away from a nice rookie season is that he will get better. Now, what to do with Jurickson Profar?

Martin Perez (125): The left-hander is hoping for a July return from Tommy John surgery. How effective he will be is a legitimate concern.

Adam Rosales: Given a chance to prove he belongs permanently in the majors, Rosales seized the opportunity. He would be a true utility infielder.

Tanner Scheppers (97): The starting experiment went wonky when his elbow didn’t respond to the ride. He’ll be back in the bullpen in 2015.

Shawn Tolleson: Like Lewis, Tolleson got better throughout the season. He will give the Rangers a nice relief arm in the middle innings.

Roster possibilities (15 players)

Jim Adduci (104): The Rangers still fawn over his athletic ability, but at some point it has to translate into production.

Scott Baker: All teams need a pitcher like Baker was this season, bouncing effectively between the long relief role and occasional starter.

Michael Choice: His rookie season was a stinker (.182, midseason demotion), but he still has upside that the Rangers like.

Neal Cotts: The Rangers need a lefty reliever, and have already talked about wanted Cotts to return. He made $2.2 million in 2014.

Matt Harrison (146): The surgery he had in the spring, in which metal rods were inserted in his back, has his career in jeopardy. He would be welcomed back, though.

Nick Martinez (16): Traveled a tough road in 2014, and it showed at times. But he was at his best at the end, a possible springboard into spring training.

Mitch Moreland (100): A bothersome ankle injury was finally repaired, but he could be a candidate to not be tendered a contract his off-season.

Alexi Ogando (104): Another candidate to be non-tendered, Ogando has lost his mechanics and the approach that made him successful. The injuries are an issue, too.

Aaron Poreda: Lefties who throw 100 mph shouldn’t be discarded. Poreda will be in the organization, maybe on the club depending on a few other lefties.

Alex Rios: The Rangers likely won’t pick up their option on him for $14 million. He would consider coming back, but will have other offers.

Daniel Robertson: The career minor leaguer did just fine with his first shot at the majors. Are there better extra outfielders? Probably.

Robbie Ross: His past 1 1/2 seasons have been lousy. That doesn’t mean he’s finished, but he has fallen behind others in the bullpen pecking order.

Ryan Rua: He showed plenty in his pressure-free month trial. He can play the outfield corners and first base. Versatility is his strength.

Jake Smolinski (50): He also took advantage of his chance after years in the minors. Smolinski has some pop and is a good defender, but will that be enough?

Nick Tepesch: He has established himself as the choice among other young starting candidates. He’ll likely be in the rotation if only one free agent is added.

Not time yet (11 players)

Lisalverto Bonnila

Alex Claudio

Jon Edwards

Pedro Figueroa (141)

Phil Klein

Miles Mikolas

Spencer Patton

Ben Rowen

Luis Sardinas

Tomas Telis

Matt West

Thanks for playing (22 players)

Nate Adcock

J.P. Arencibia

Mike Carp

Ryan Feierabend

Jason Frasor (traded July 16)

Justin Germano

Chris Gimenez (traded Aug. 23)

Phil Irwin

Michael Kirkman

Kevin Kouzmanoff

Daniel McCutchen

Donnie Murphy

Hector Noesi

Carlos Pena

Guilder Rodriguez

Seth Rosin

Joe Saunders (47)

Brad Snyder

Joakim Soria (traded July 23)

Geovany Soto (traded Aug. 24)

Jerome Williams (July 25-Aug. 8)

Josh Wilson

Did not play (5)

Engel Beltre (162)

Wilmer Font

Corey Knebel

Joseph Ortiz (102)

Jurickson Profar (162)

This story was originally published September 29, 2014 at 9:25 PM with the headline "Review of Rangers’ 2014 season skewed by injuries."