Washington follows MLB memo on playing regulars
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Rangers brought Jurickson Profar, Elvis Andrus, Prince Fielder and Leonys Martin to Peoria on Sunday for their Cactus League game against the Mariners. That satisfied Major League Baseball's edict that every team needs to have at least four starters or established players in their lineup every day in Spring Training.
Manager Ron Washington received a memorandum from the Commissioner's Office reminding him of that after the Marlins complained about the Red Sox lineup last Thursday in Florida. Washington did not need to the reminder.
Washington plans out his Spring Training lineups so that he staggers the playing time of his starters. Fielder got the day off on Friday when the Rangers played at the Dodgers but made the trip to Peoria. Adrian Beltre was off on Sunday but will play the next three days, including a road game on Tuesday against the White Sox.
"We try to be accommodating," Washington said. "If they have to remind you too much, you're going to get a letter with some numbers [a fine] and they're not pretty numbers. I want to make sure I give my guys rest they don't leave here tired."