SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Texas Rangers played their first intrasquad game Tuesday and neither Adrian Beltre nor Lance Berkman were in the lineups.
Beltre would have played if it was the regular season but the Rangers are being cautious with his sore right calf.
Beltre had an MRI on the calf which revealed some inflammation. The calf hasn't kept him from participating in any team drills.
Berkman, who had two knee surgeries last year, could make his Texas debut in Friday's exhibition game against Kansas City. Texas manager Ron Washington said the decision as to when he'll play will be a team one.
"When he's ready," Washington said. "This is intrasquad so this isn't that important. We'll just see how he feels as we move along. We'll listen to him but we've got a lot of time."
The only player originally scheduled to play in the intrasquad game who was unable to go was right-hander Wilmer Font. Font has mild right shoulder tendonitis. He's scheduled to throw on flat ground Wednesday and could be throwing bullpens by the weekend.
