Major League Baseball

Saltalamacchia, Teagarden vie to be Rangers' C

Published Feb. 26, 2010 8:07 p.m. ET

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In a Texas Rangers camp bereft of position battles, catchers Taylor Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are the exception.

The offensively talented Saltalamacchia was acquired from the Atlanta Braves four years ago in the Mark Teixeira trade. Teagarden is the homegrown defensive specialist who's working to bring his offense in line with his consistency behind the plate.

The job likely is Saltalamacchia's to win, assuming he can prove he's recovered from offseason surgery to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a condition that causes pain, tingling and numbness in his arm.

``Before Salty got hurt he showed a lot of improvement on the defensive end,'' Rangers manager Ron Washington said. ``We just want to see that he's healthy and can do everything. We haven't seen any hiccups.''

Saltalamacchia had been slated to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic, but was sent home after only one game when his shoulder problems resurfaced. That question mark has placed the 24-year-old in the middle of his third consecutive spring competition for the full-time job.

``I'm approaching it the same as I did last year,'' Saltalamacchia said Friday. ``I have one focus, on the pitching staff and getting ready for Opening Day. Competition is fine. We can't worry about the competition. ... We have 25 guys on this team and we have to focus on that otherwise you're selling the other guys short.''

His shoulder woes also affected Saltalamacchia at the plate, where he hit .233 with nine homers and 34 RBIs in 84 games.

Teagarden has shown promise behind the plate. It's how he performs with a bat that remains an issue. Last season, his first full year in the majors, he hit .217 in 60 games.

``Defensively I have been more consistent than offensively,'' Teagarden said. ``They know what I can do being a catcher.''

Last year, the 26-year-old spent considerable time watching video to learn hitters' tendencies.

``You can't learn a lot unless you're in the big leagues,'' Teagarden said.

Even if relegated to a backup role, Teagarden said he will remain busy continuing to build on his knowledge of the league's hitters.

``You never really have a day off as a catcher,'' he said. ``When you're talking about studying the hitters you have to keep your eyes in the game and see how the game calling is going.''

Washington said the starting job ultimately will be based more on who is able to get the most out of the Rangers pitching staff.

``They can play for me if they can get my pitchers through games,'' he said.

NOTES: RHP Warner Madrigal left the workout early Friday with tightness in his right forearm. ... CF Josh Hamilton returned to practice in a limited role Friday, skipping outfield drills and hitting off a tee in the batting cages rather than facing live pitching. Hamilton has missed most of the past two days with a left shoulder contusion. ... LHP Derek Holland is going to throw in the bullpen on Saturday as he continues working back from a mild right knee sprain.

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