Pierzynski wants to be in lineup every day

ARLINGTON -- A.J. Pierzynski was back in the lineup for the fifth straight game as the Rangers' starting catcher against the Angels on Saturday afternoon. The Rangers were off on Monday and Thursday, so Pierzynski hasn't started on five straight days.

Manager Ron Washington still hasn't decided when Geovany Soto will get his first start. Pierzynski is the first Rangers catcher to start the first four games of the season since Gerald Laird in 2008.

"I said from Day 1 I wish they'd let me play every day, but that's unrealistic," Pierzynski said. "The weather is cool right now and we're facing a run of right-handed pitching, Wash is letting me go. But Geovany has to play and get his at-bats, too. He is very capable of playing and playing very well. When they put me in, I'll play. I won't ask to play or not play, when they ask me to play, I'll play."

At this point, Pierzynski has been able to catch all the Rangers pitchers and get a feel for what they do. He did not catch Tanner Scheppers in Spring Training but has worked with him in his two appearances so far this season. Pierzynski said he is still learning his pitchers.

"It's always a work in progress," Pierzynski said. "You never feel completely comfortable. Any day something new can pop up. It's not like science; it's a fluid situation and changes every day. That's what makes the game more fun."