Texas Rangers: Dates to remember as winter turns to spring

It’s getting so close you can almost smell the rosin in the air.

February is in sight (Monday) and you know what that means: reporting dates.

Before you know it the Texas Rangers will all be in Surprise, Ariz., for spring training. With that in mind, here’s a handy list of important dates any red and blue-blooded Rangers’ fan will want to keep at the top of their scorecard.

Cut it out, put it on the fridge, copy it into your smart phone/iPad or make your kids recite it before bed, whatever it takes. Just don’t forget these key Rangers dates:

Saturday: Final winter caravan stop at Dr Pepper Ballpark, Frisco

Tuesday: Rangers trucks loaded up before departing for Arizona

Feb. 18: Pitchers and catchers report to Surprise

Feb. 19: First workout for pitchers and catchers

Feb. 23: Position players report

Feb. 24: First full-team workout

March 2: Spring opener vs. Royals, 2:05 p.m. Surprise Stadium

March 17: First spring night game vs. Brewers, 8:05 p.m., Surprise Stadium

March 18-19: vs. Royals at Alamodome, San Antonio

March 30: Spring finale vs. Royals, 2:05 p.m., Surprise Stadium

April 1-2: Exhibition games vs. Indians, 7:05 & 1:05 p.m., Globe Life Park

April 4: Opening Day vs. Mariners, 3:05 p.m., Globe Life Park

April 19: vs. Jeff Banister ‘Finger-pointing bobblehead’ vs. Astros, 7:05, Globe Life Park

Mid-May: Yu Darvish’s expected return

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Texas Rangers: Dates to remember as winter turns to spring."