Vlad healthy and ready for Texas

[dave nz]

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- After his first official workout with the Rangers, Vladimir Guerrero pronounced himself fit and ready to go.

He also revealed that he has lost some weight and felt "skinny."

"Last offseason I had surgery on my knees," Guerrero said. "I lost some weight in the offseason and I worked on my knees ... giving strength to my muscles on the knees. I was exercising and getting them stronger."

He said his knees should not be a problem. Guerrero said he has no physical issues that he is dealing with at the moment. He is ready to go.

He is even ready to play the outfield. He wants to play the outfield. The Rangers signed him primarily to be their designated hitter but he reiterated that he is not interested in doing that job full time.

Manager Ron Washington said he will use Guerrero at times in the outfield this year.

"I didn't come to play only DH," Guerrero said. "I came here to play. It's up to them if they want to use me as a DH or play the outfield. I have to work and prepare to play both places. If he wants me to play as a DH, I'll play as a DH. If he wants me to play outfield, I'll do that."

Guerrero, an eight-time All-Star, spent the last six seasons with the Angels and batted .295 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in 100 games and 407 at-bats last season. He played just two games in the outfield while missing over two months because of injuries.

Guerrero was on the disabled list from April 16 to May 24 because of a torn muscle in his chest and again from July 8 to Aug. 4 with a strained left knee. He insisted that is all behind him.

"I don't have anything to worry about," Guerrero said. "I hope that continues through the season."

His numbers were down last year. His batting average, .334 on-base percentage and .460 slugging percentage were his lowest ever in a full season. The Rangers knew that when they signed him. They know that's why they were able to get him on a one-year, $6.5 million deal with only a mutual option for a second season.

Their goal is to get him in the lineup for 145-150 games. If that means being a full-time designated hitter, that's what will happen. But they believe he still has much to offer as their cleanup hitter.

"The one thing he told me in California is that he loves to play baseball," Washington said. "The fire hasn't gone out. It's still lit."

[Bronson7]

Are you a Texas fan Davo?

[dave nz]

Don't really have an MLB team, except the one I have money on

[TTB]

Welcome to Ranger nation dave

[BigFratDaddy]

yay our backup DH is healthy