The Surprise, Surprise: Catching Up With Patrick Kivelhan & More

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By: Jared Sandler

*Had the chance to meet and talk to Patrick Kivelhan for the first time on Sunday. The fact he played college football at Rutgers is really interesting, both because he simply played and also because of where he played. He played with Eric Legrand, still a friend of his, and played for Greg Schiano, who still texts him around the holidays and on his birthday.

Kivlehan only played baseball his senior year and I knew a few Rutgers baseball folk so I asked him if they knew each other. One of the guys, Russ Hopkins, actually played a big role in getting Patrick here, in a way. Hopkins was supposed to be the starting third baseman but blew out his knee the night before the season playing pick-up hoops. Patrick ended up as the starting third baseman and it probably helped him get some notice from clubs being that it was his only year in the program. By the way, Russ is doing just fine these days. He's recently engaged.

*Rangers RHP, Luke Jackson, flew back to Dallas today to meet with Dr. Drew Dossett concerning his lower back stiffness. Jackson, whose MRIs were clean, is expected to fly back to Arizona after the meeting. Thus, we should know more tomorrow, though no one anticipates anything serious.

*The Cactus League season begins tomorrow. Colby Lewis is the scheduled starter as the Rangers take on their campus mates, the Royals. Here's the rest of their lineup for tomorrow (subject to change):

DeShields CF
Choo RF
Fielder 1B
Beltre 3B
Moreland DH
Ruggiano LF
Odor 2B
Andrus SS
Chirinos C

...Barring injury, I think this is the Opening Day lineup with the exception of Ian Desmond in there for Justin Ruggiano.

*Justin Ruggiano's role has presumably changed with the addition of Ian Desmond, who should not need a platoon partner. I think Ruggiano is in competition with Ryan Rua for a utility role that includes 1B duty. Ruggiano's going to get work there this Spring (he's never played there in the Majors), while Rua has nine Major League starts there and around 30 in the minors. It won't be strictly about who can handle the position better--the bat will play a big role--but I imagine for Ruggiano to win a spot, showing he can handle first in March might be a must.

*Housekeeping

-The Rangers placed Tanner Scheppers on the 60-Day DL in order to make room on the roster for Ian Desmond.
-The Rangers agreed to terms on one-year deals with LHPs, Alex Claudio ($510,250) and Yohander Mendez ($507,500), as well as RHP, Nick Martinez (519,190). All 41 players on the Major League roster are now under contract.
-MLB has decided to suspend star Yankees reliever, Aroldis Chapman, for 30 games. That means he will not be available when the Rangers and Yankees play in Arlington between April 25-27.

Until tomorrow, Peace Be the Journey

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