SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Class A Hickory manager Spike Owen will be filling in for Tony Beasley as the Rangers' third-base coach. Beasley is still in camp with the Rangers, but he is dealing with rectal cancer and begins chemotherapy treatments on Monday.
"In an effort to be completely prepared, the worst-case scenario is Tony not being capable of coaching third base at all this year," manager Jeff Banister said. "We want to prepare ourselves for that in mind and also have Spike here from Day One. We didn't want to put him in a bad situation if we don't know if Tony is going to be on the field. So we are going to put Spike in position and go from there."
Owen is a former infielder who spent 13 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1983-95. He joined the Rangers in 2009, spending two years as a Minor League coordinator and four as a coach at Triple-A Round Rock. Owen spent last season as manager of Class A Advanced High Desert in the California League and led the Mavericks to the second-half South Division title.
Beasley is in his second year with the Rangers. He was hired by Banister to be the third-base coach last year but was diagnosed with cancer in January. He will remain in camp with the Rangers and go through chemotherapy locally, but the Rangers aren't sure when he'll be ready to resume his duties.
"We are going to continue to treat him with how we treat our players," Banister said. "We'll let him tell us what he can do on a daily basis."