SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers pitcher Andrew Cashner received a pain-relieving injection into his right shoulder after being examined in Dallas on Friday.
Cashner is expected to return to Arizona and begin a light throwing program on Saturday. He was shut down because of soreness in his right biceps tendon and the Rangers don't expect him ready for the start of the season.
• Spring Training info
But the Rangers are hopeful that it is not a serious issue. Normally a starting pitcher takes 6-8 weeks of a throwing program to get ready for the regular season, but it may not take that long with Cashner because he has been throwing for three months before being shut down.
"There is already some equity in his throwing program," manager Jeff Banister said.
Cashner and Tyson Ross were signed this offseason to fill the back end of the Rangers rotation. Ross is recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome and is also in the early stages of a throwing program. He is expected to throw off a mound for the third time on Saturday.
Rangers beat
• Elvis Andrus is expected to start for the first time in a Cactus League game on Saturday against the White Sox in Surprise. Andrus has been taking it slow this spring while completing his recovery from offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia.
• Catcher Brett Nicholas underwent surgery on Friday in Arlington to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. Nicholas is expected to begin a rehab program immediately and could resume baseball activities in the next ten days.
• Jurickson Profar is fine after jamming the middle finger on his left hand during the Netherlands' game against Israel in the World Baseball Classic on Thursday. Profar injured the finger sliding into a base, but told the Rangers he is recovered and ready for the next round. The Netherlands play again on Sunday against Japan.
• Catcher Patrick Cantwell is taking a few days off after getting hit by a foul ball in Thursday's B game against the White Sox. Cantwell was hit in a sensitive area. He was wearing the appropriate protective gear but is still in considerable discomfort.