SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers understand Willie Calhoun is disappointed about being optioned, but the clock is now ticking on when he will officially report to Triple-A Nashville.

According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, a player has 72 hours to report even if it is essentially a walk down the hall at the Rangers' complex. Texas gave Calhoun the day off Thursday, and he did not report Friday.

“I understand why he is angry, but at the same time he is not the first guy that’s had this happen to him, and many have gotten way worse,” Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. “I’m not making light of it, but you have to handle certain things in life through adversity. It’s his job right now to handle it the right way and professionally.”

Woodward said he worries that if Calhoun handles the situation in what is perceived as an inappropriate manner, it could cost him the respect of his teammates.

“I do [worry], and that’s one thing I’ve stressed,” Woodward said. “A lot of people have stressed that to him ... the respect of your teammates is No. 1. To me as a player, that was everything. If I had any advice for him, [it would be to] think about that more than anything. The respect of your teammates is by far the most important thing you’ll ever have as a player. As soon as you lose that, it’s hard to get it back.”

Gallo goes deep
Joey Gallo had a home run, a ground out and two walks in a Triple-A game against Oklahoma City on Friday. Gallo has been sidelined since March 14 with a strained right groin and was used at designated hitter.

Gallo said he is pain-free and running at about 80 percent. He will continue to get at-bats in a Minor League game with the goal of playing for the Rangers on Monday against the Indians in Arlington. All signs are still positive as far as Gallo being ready for Opening Day.

“It felt great, actually,” Gallo said. “Really good. No problems at all. Pain-free. I'm happy about that. I have zero concern about it, honestly, knock on wood. For me, it's more about just getting back in baseball mode, seeing pitches, taking swings and tracking balls in the outfield. I only missed a week, so I don't feel like I'm too far behind.”

Bullpen derby heats up
Reliever Connor Sadzeck, who is out of options, is still on the Opening Day roster. He pitched two innings of a 6-2 loss to the Cubs on Friday and issued two walks that led to a three-run home run from Javier Baez.

Zach McAllister is the leading candidate for the seventh reliever in the Rangers' bullpen but has not yet been told he has made the team. He allowed an unearned run in his inning against the Cubs on Friday. He has a 3.00 ERA and opponents are hitting .255 off him.

“Hopefully in the next couple of days find out something,” McAllister said. “Right now, it’s business as usual. Show up every day and be prepared and go to work and get better. You definitely have your thoughts here and there, but at the end of the day it’s about going out there and taking care of business.”

Veteran right-hander Jeanmar Gomez may not make the bullpen, but he has done everything possible to put himself in that position. Gomez threw a scoreless inning against the Cubs, striking out two of three hitters. He now has a 1.74 ERA and opponents are hitting .216 off him.

“He’s reliable,” Woodward said. “He has been doing it a long time. He stays cool and executes pitches. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he knows how to get guys out.”

Rangers beat
• Left-handed reliever Jeffrey Springs, on making the Opening Day roster: “I got goosebumps. It was pretty cool. I remember last year we were watching [Opening Day] from the stands, the Frisco people that were there and thinking that’s awesome, kind of daydreaming about what it would be like. Now that I get to do it, it hasn’t really set in yet.”

• Right-handed pitcher Luke Farrell, who will start the season on the injured list because of a broken jaw, will have his wires removed on Monday. The next step will be to get his weight and strength back after being on a liquid diet for three weeks. Once that happens, he will begin a throwing program.

• Lance Lynn is going to stay in Surprise on Sunday and start against the Royals while the bulk of the team flies to Nashville for a game against the Triple-A Sounds. There is some concern that rain could impact the game in Nashville.

Up next
Left-hander Mike Minor makes his final start of the spring against the Brewers at 2:05 p.m. CT Saturday in Surprise. Minor has a 3.97 ERA in four spring starts and opponents are hitting .256 off him. He is scheduled to start on Opening Day against the Cubs on Thursday.