ARLINGTON -- Willie Calhoun was among the Rangers' September callups and is on his second tour with the big league club this season, but his playing time is expected to be limited this time around.
Calhoun, the Rangers' No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is joining a crowded outfield that includes Joey Gallo and Shin-Soo Choo in left. Calhoun played left field for the Rangers while Nomar Mazara was on the disabled list earlier this season.
Rangers manager Jeff Banister said Calhoun has also been dealing with a chest cold and is currently unavailable to play. Still, Banister said it will be a challenge to find spots for him in the lineup when he becomes available to play again.
"Willie's in the mix as one of those outfielders, and a possible DH spot, also," Banister said. "We'll get him in the mix. … It's a challenge right now to get all those guys the appropriate number of at-bats.
"There's a rotation of guys, especially on our left-handed side, that we've got going on right now. [Ronald] Guzman, Gallo, and [Drew] Robinson, getting him in there as well. Trying to maintain some type of order of when these guys get a day off. We'll get Willie in here going and we'll get him some playing time."
After entering Spring Training as a candidate to make the big league roster, Calhoun got off to a slow start for Triple-A Round Rock but finished strong, batting .294 with nine home runs, 32 doubles and 47 RBIs in 108 games. Calhoun's 32 doubles ranked tied for fifth in the Pacific Coast League.
The Rangers believe Calhoun can hit big league pitching, but they would like to see continued improvement. Calhoun's power took a step back this season, hitting just nine home runs after launching 31 last season.
Calhoun was also sent down early in camp because the Rangers wanted to see him make strides on defense, and that's something the club saw from him while he filled in for Mazara.

"He's showed some signs of the ability to hit the ball the other way, and showed some improvements in the outfield," Banister said. "He has shown some improvements in the defensive department."
Rangers beat
• Right-hander Adrian Sampson, another September callup, could be used as an "opener," according to Banister, and as a starter before the end of the season. Sampson pitched both in the rotation and out of the bullpen for Round Rock this season and was 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA over his last 14 starts.
• Chi Chi Gonzalez is scheduled to pitch in the third game of Class A Spokane's semifinal series against Everett. Gonzalez returned to the mound July 30 after missing all of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
• The Rangers will also continue to take a look at left-hander Jeffrey Springs as an opener. Springs pitched two scoreless innings in his first career start Monday against the Angels.