TEXAS RANGERS PLAYER NEWS

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker indicated Monday that Smith will not be a strict platoon at second base, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker indicated Monday that Carter will be given some chances to start against left-handed pitching early on in the season, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Pederson, who will start at first base and bat second in Monday's game against the Padres, has gone 4-for-17 with one walk and four strikeouts through his first eight Cactus League contests.

The Rangers optioned Otanez to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

The Rangers optioned Blanco to Triple-A Round Rock after claiming him off waivers from the Royals on Sunday.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Sunday that Higashioka (back) is feeling better and is expected to return to the spring lineup Monday against the Padres, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers optioned Lopez to Double-A Frisco on Sunday.

The Rangers optioned Davalillo to Double-A Frisco on Sunday.

The Rangers placed Montgomery (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The Rangers claimed Blanco off waivers from the Royals on Sunday.

Burger 1-for-2 with a walk, a home run and two RBI in Saturday's spring game against San Francisco.

Latz allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Giants.

Higashioka was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants due to back tightness, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Carter started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's spring game against Seattle.

Leiter allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Mariners.