We talked a couple of weeks ago about the likelihood of veteran journeyman utility player Jeff Baker making the Texas Rangers' Opening Day roster after being one of the leading hitters in all of baseball this spring.
When Mike Olt was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock, the chances of that happening increased dramatically as Baker could provide the same, if not more, defensive versatility and has actually hit the ball really well this spring.
On Monday, Rangers manager Ron Washington told Baker he'd made the Opening Day roster, and it was well deserved after he hit .423 this spring and driving in seven runs with a home run.
Baker got the same news veteran pitcher Derek Lowe received on Tuesday, as it was revealed he'd made the Rangers' big-league roster, unsurprisingly, and will start the season in the bullpen although he might not be out of the running for the fifth starter job just yet.
It was also announced Tuesday that middle infielder Leury Garcia, who has shown some quiet promise in the big shadow of Jurickson Profar, will make the Opening Day roster as a utility infielder. The 22-yaer-old stole 31 bases and hit 11 triples for Double-A Frisco last year.
