Rangers Set 25-Man Roster

Per Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers have finalized their Opening Day roster. Here's how the final roster spot battles went down:

Utility Spot: MATT KATA

Kata had a fantastic spring (and was my personal dark-horse pick), with his two HR day on March 19th being the biggest highlight. He can play the infield and outfield, just like Jerry Hairston Jr., and while neither one is all that great offensively they give Texas a ton of defensive flexibility. Also, let's not forget the club already has a five man rotation in the outfield planned. Right now, it would seem Texas is well equipped as far as fielding depth goes. Marlon Byrd has been designated for assignment.

Backup Catcher: CHRIS STEWART

This one was a surprise to me, because I thought Miguel Ojeda was in the driver's seat for the job. I guess the club saw something they liked in Stewart; apparently, he has an excellent throwing arm, and if his game-calling ability is better than Ojeda's, I can see why the Rangers picked him. The 25-year-old Stewart hit .450/.455/.550 in 20 at-bats this spring. Ojeda was optioned to AAA Oklahoma City, and Guillermo Quiroz was designated for assignment.

Bullpen: BRUCE CHEN & MIKE WOOD

With Jamey Wright staying in Frisco until his turn comes up on either April 10th or 11th against the Devil Rays, Texas is carrying an extra reliever. Eric Gagne is eligible to come off the disabled list on April 13th, so odds are Chen and Wood are both off the roster within two weeks. I'd like to see the club keep Chen around, but that's unlikely if he's not going to start; Texas has no long-term need for three left-handed relievers. Mike Wood had an excellent spring, but a quick glance at his career numbers would seem to suggest he's nothing too special.

Of course, if the Rangers want to win the AL West, they're going to need Wes Littleton and Frankie Francisco in the majors. The sooner they get their issues worked out, the better Texas's chances are. Ezequiel Astacio was predictably designated for assignment, as Texas will try to sneak him through waivers and stick him in Oklahoma City.

And with all of that, Texas's final Opening Day roster is set:

C Gerald Laird

C Chris Stewart

1B Mark Teixeira

2B Ian Kinsler

SS Michael Young

3B Hank Blalock

OF Brad Wilkerson

OF Frank Catalanotto

OF Kenny Lofton

OF Nelson Cruz

DH Sammy Sosa

UTIL Matt Kata

UTIL Jerry Hairston Jr.

SP Kevin Millwood

SP Vicente Padilla

SP Brandon McCarthy

SP Robinson Tejeda

RP Kameron Loe

RP Bruce Chen

RP Mike Wood

RP Ron Mahay

RP C.J. Wilson

RP Joaquin Benoit

RP Scott Feldman

RP Akinori Otsuka

Texas beat Milwaukee 4-3 in their final exhibition game of the spring, on a dramatic walkoff home run from Nelson Cruz in the bottom of the 9th inning in front of 22,385 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Very nice note to end spring training on, with the Rangers finishing at 16-11.

Let's hope they can keep their winning ways going when the games begin counting.

45 hours until John Lackey throws his first pitch to Kenny Lofton.