Projecting Rangers' Opening Day roster

ARLINGTON -- Injuries to outfielder Willie Calhoun and catcher Robinson Chirinos and the Summer Camp emergence of Isiah Kiner-Falefa are among the complications before the Rangers set their 30-man Opening Day roster.

Also, the bullpen is in a state of flux for a variety of reasons.

Here’s a breakdown of the potential 30-man roster with a week to go before the season starts:

Catcher
Locks: Robinson Chirinos, Jeff Mathis, Jose Trevino
Possibilities: Blake Swihart, Nick Ciuffo, Tim Federowicz

Chirinos is the No. 1 catcher, but the Rangers are concerned about his right ankle sprain. They are guardedly optimistic about him being ready for Opening Day. The Rangers are expected to carry three catchers at least while the rosters sit at 30 players. Trevino and Mathis have different assets to offer as a backup catcher. Trevino is young and athletic with more offensive potential. Mathis is excellent behind the plate in game-calling and ability to work with pitchers.

The Rangers are intrigued by Swihart but really haven’t had a great opportunity to evaluate him. Sam Huff, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 2 prospect in the system, is in camp but unlikely to be activated unless the Rangers fall completely out of it in September.

First base
Lock: Todd Frazier
Possibilities: Ronald Guzmán, Greg Bird

Kiner-Falefa will be on the team and is making a case to be an everyday player. If so, the best way to get him into the lineup is by playing him at third base and moving Frazier to first. Frazier has 97 career games at first base, and manager Chris Woodward said the veteran looks comfortable over there. Guzmán or Bird could provide late-inning defensive help. Bird is a non-roster invitee and could opt for free agency if he is not on the Opening Day roster.

Second base
Lock: Rougned Odor
Possibilities: Nick Solak, Andy Ibáñez

Odor had a great spring in Arizona and has continued that in Summer Camp. The Rangers know he can be streaky but are relying on him heavily in the middle of the order. Solak is starting the season in left field while Calhoun is down, but he could step in at second if Odor goes into an offensive funk.

Shortstop
Lock: Elvis Andrus
Possibilities: Yadiel Rivera, Anderson Tejeda

Andrus is the starting shortstop. Rivera has previous experience with the Brewers and Marlins, and is excellent defensively. The Rangers signed him as insurance in case of injury. Tejeda is the No. 8 prospect in the system but has yet to play above Class A Advanced.

Third base
Lock: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Possibilities: Todd Frazier, Nick Solak

This is Frazier’s best position and the reason the Rangers signed him. But there is a bigger need to play him at first base, and this is also the best place to get either Kiner-Falefa or Solak in the lineup. Josh Jung, the top prospect in the Rangers’ system, and Sherten Apostel, rated No. 10 by MLB Pipeline, are both in camp for the experience.

Outfield
Locks: Willie Calhoun, Danny Santana, Joey Gallo, Scott Heineman
Possibilities: Nick Solak, Adolis García, Leody Taveras

Calhoun is the Rangers’ left fielder but will not be ready for Opening Day because of a right hip flexor strain. He is not expected to miss much time, but Woodward said Solak will start in left while Calhoun is out. Santana is set in center and Gallo in right, with Heineman as the fourth outfielder.

García can hit, and Taveras is an excellent defensive player. One of them could win a spot on the 30-man roster until Calhoun returns.

Designated hitter
Lock: Shin-Soo Choo
Possibilities: Adolis García, Blake Swihart

Choo can play the outfield if needed. Swihart and García can swing the bat if the Rangers need an offensive replacement here. But if Choo is out, it’s most likely a Calhoun/Solak combo between here and left field.

Utility
Lock: Nick Solak
Possibility: Rob Refsnyder

This is Solak’s job once Calhoun returns. It was also supposed to be a role for Kiner-Falefa until he made a strong bid for an everyday role. Refsnyder has the ability to play multiple positions, but 40-man roster spots are going to be tough to find for all these non-roster players trying to win jobs.

Starting pitcher
Locks: Lance Lynn, Mike Minor, Corey Kluber, Kyle Gibson, Jordan Lyles
Possibilities: Joe Palumbo, Kolby Allard, Ariel Jurado, Tyler Phillips

The rotation is set. The Rangers have three off-days in the first 11 days of the season, so there is a possibility Lyles could be skipped through the first turn. Palumbo and Allard are the leading candidates to be called upon if another starter is needed. They could also be used in the bullpen early.

Relief pitcher
Locks: José Leclerc, Nick Goody, Jesse Chavez, Jonathan Hernández, Taylor Hearn, Luke Farrell
Not ready for opener: Rafael Montero, Brett Martin, Joely Rodríguez
Possibilities: Cody Allen, Luis García, Ian Gibaut, Jimmy Herget, Derek Law, Juan Nicasio, Edinson Vólquez
Prospects to watch: Wes Benjamin, Demarcus Evans, Alex Speas

The Rangers have a lot of candidates and will need them. Montero (late to camp), Rodriguez (strained lat muscle) and Martin (COVID-19 positive test) are not expected to be ready for Opening Day.

But the Rangers also have a full 40-man roster, and all those candidates listed under “possibilities” are non-roster invites. Finding spots on the 40-man is going to be tough while Montero, Rodriguez and Martin are sidelined.

Gibaut and Benjamin appeared to be long shots coming into camp but have been among the Rangers’ most impressive relievers of late.