SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish was throwing off the top of a full mound Monday for the first time since having Tommy John surgery on March 17.
Darvish threw 15 pitches, but it wasn't a full workout. Catcher Robinson Chirinos moved up in front of home plate to receive the throws. Darvish will continue that arrangement through this week.
"I feel like I am able to throw nice and easy, and throw the ball well," Darvish said. "I'm feeling painless right now, and I hope that continues."
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Mintz gets managing job
The Rangers have named Double-A Frisco pitching coach Steve Mintz as manager of Class A Hickory. He replaces Spike Owen, who is serving as interim third-base coach with the Rangers.
Mintz is a former Major League pitcher who has been a Minor League pitching coach the past 15 years. But he wanted to get into managing and did so for the Adelaide Bite in the Australian Baseball League.
Brian Shouse will replace him as the Frisco pitching coach, and Joey Seaver has been named as the Class A Spokane pitching coach. Both worked with the Rookie-level Rangers in the Arizona League last season.
Worth noting
• Pitcher Luke Jackson is scheduled to be examined by Dr. Drew Dossett on Tuesday in Dallas. Jackson has been sidelined with stiffness in his lower back, and he remains hopeful it's not serious.
"I'll be ready to rock and roll in the spring," Jackson said. "They have all the MRIs, and they all showed up clean. We're trying to figure out what's going on, but it's getting better every day. Every spring this comes up, but this year it's a little more intense."
• The Rangers will take it slow with Ian Desmond as he begins the transition from shortstop to the outfield after signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the club. Field coordinator Jayce Tingler has outlined a plan.
"It's not as easy as hitting him fungoes and go run down balls," manager Jeff Banister said. "There is footwork involved and setup involved. There is a progression to start learning a new position. He is an elite athlete, he played a premium position and he played it well. I feel confident he'll play well, but we are not in the business of shoving guys out there."
• The Rangers made room for Desmond on the 40-man roster by putting Tanner Scheppers on the 60-day disabled list.
• Former Ranger Michael Young is in camp. He is now a special assistant in the front office and was instrumental in recruiting Desmond.
"I'm still floored he was out there," Young said. "I was calling as a friend, checking to see how he was doing. He has always been an extremely competitive guy, and his physical ability is obvious. But for me, I look for guys who bring it at [game time], and he does that. He shows up to beat people. Those are the guys who win titles. The fans will love this guy."
• Rangers Minor League first baseman Trever Adams has received a 50-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Amphetamine, a stimulant in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension of Adams, who is currently on the Frisco roster, will be effective at the start of the 2016 season.