Odor may force Rangers' decision

Opening Day second baseman Rougned Odor is putting himself in position for a return to the Major Leagues. Odor is hitting .378 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 27 games since being demoted to Triple-A Round Rock.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister said Odor has also shown significant improvement on defense. That was an area of priority for Odor while in the Minor Leagues.

"He is playing much better defense," Banister said. "His footwork is better and so is turning the double play. I'm getting reports his defense has been impressive."

Worth noting

• Josh Hamilton, on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, is running on a treadmill, but has yet to begin baseball activities. Both he and Adrian Beltre (sprained left thumb) are still several weeks away from being ready and it may be July for both of them.

• Ryan Rua, who has been sidelined for two months because of a fracture in his right heel, is 4-for-18 in six games with Round Rock while playing first, third and left field. He is getting closer to being an option at the Major League level.

• Nick Tepesch, on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow, is throwing at 120 feet long toss in Arizona.