Rangers manager works on defense with Fielder

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder had his first defensive one-on-one session with manager Ron Washington on Monday. It won't be his last.

"I just want to get better at everything and I want to get as much information as I can get," Fielder said.

Fielder has never rated high in any of the metrics that rate defensive play. But Washington has always taken great pride in working with infielders on their defense. The lesson Monday was about being better and digging throws out of the dirt.

"It's about getting lower with the body and trusting your technique," Washington said. "I was showing him some techniques he really wasn't onto before. But the last 15, 20 balls came together the way we wanted it to. Bend the knees and get the body down. At the end, you could see how flexible he is. We want to make sure we use that flexibility."

Fielder's early work kept him out of Monday's intrasquad scrimmage. Third baseman Adrian Beltre also didn't play in the game.