Scheppers, Tateyama get back on mound in 'B' game

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Right-handed relief candidates Tanner Scheppers and Yoshinori Tateyama were back on the mound Wednesday after a lengthy layoff and both pitched a scoreless inning during the Rangers' 6-1 victory over the Cubs in a morning "B" game.

Scheppers has been dealing with a strained left hamstring and had not pitched in a game since Feb. 22. But he retired the side in order in the second inning on just 10 pitches and struck out one.

Tateyama was pitching in a game for the first time since Feb. 24. He has been sidelined with back stiffness, but he struck out two while walking one in the third inning.

Both Scheppers and Tateyama pitched for the Rangers in 2012. So did Wilmer Font, but his chances of winning a spot in the bullpen continue to wane because he has been dealing with biceps tendinitis. He threw in the bullpen on Wednesday but time is running short on him.

"I don't think we view on March 6 that anybody is out of time," assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "But there is a sense of urgency that he needs to continue to progress and not have any setbacks."