SURPRISE, Ariz. – Elvis Andrus wasn't able to work out with his Texas Rangers teammates Sunday because of a procedure to remove a wart on his heel.
When Andrus does begin working out, which could be Monday, he'll have a little more freedom than he's had in the last three years under manager Ron Washington.
"This spring I'm not going to run him in the ground," Washington said. "I'm going to treat him like a veteran. I'm going to allow him to show me when I can get on him and when I can't. I'm going to allow Elvis to be his own policeman.”
Washington said he thinks Andrus, who is still the team's youngest position starter at 23, has earned the right to do that. That right means Andrus won't have to play in as many spring innings as he has in the past.
Despite the extra freedom for Andrus, that doesn't mean that Washington will let up on him. Washington, who was an infielder in the majors, knows what has to be done to play shortstop correctly.
"I see everything,” Washington said. "I don't let him get away with anything. If I let him get away with anything then I'm not really doing my job. That's just instinct. I've been an infield coach for 11 years. I see a lot of things that other people don't see.”
LEARNING CURVE
Now that all the players are in camp Washington has had a chance to see just about all of them.
One he's watched is catcher Tommy Mendonca, who is making the transition from third base.
"He's coming along,” Washington said. "Coming from the infield to behind the plate is not an easy transition but he's working hard at it. He's listening to all the information that's given to him. He's getting better.”
Washington said it's still too early to tell how much progress he's made until games start.
ADAMS THROWS AGAIN
Mike Adams returned to pitching Sunday after giving himself a day off Saturday.
Adams, who had offseason hernia surgery, said the lack of offseason work may have caught up with him.
"Throwing my first three bullpens in six days probably wasn't the best idea and my shoulder needed an extra day of rest,” Adams said. "I don't want to set myself back. I basically gave myself an extra day of rest.”
INJURY UPDATE
Left-hander Joe Beimel, who is competing for a spot in the Texas bullpen, was unable to throw Sunday because of left elbow inflammation and will miss at least two or three days of workouts.
Beimel spent six weeks on the disabled list with Pittsburgh last year because of inflammation in the elbow.
Right-hander Matt West, who is in his first big-league camp, also didn't throw Sunday because of arm fatigue. He's scheduled to pitch Monday.
