SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels chatted with the media Tuesday about the state of his club heading into spring training. Some of the highlights:
* Jurickson Profar is supposed to let the team know later this week about whether he'll play in the World Baseball Classic next month. Daniels also said for Profar to stay on the club it has to be in a "meaningful role." You can read all about that here.
* Daniels said the bullpen is his biggest thing he's keeping an eye on this spring. Joe Nathan is the closer and Jason Frasor has a spot, according to manager Ron Washington. The rest of it? Up for grabs. The club has some good arms in camp and some guys hoping to prove they are healthy. Now they have to find out where it all slots.
"I feel good that we're going to put together a good bullpen based on the options we have," Daniels said. "We trust our scouts and we trust our staff here to put guys in the right roles."
We'll talk more about that bullpen in the coming days here on the blog.
* Mike Olt will get time in right field, and Daniels believes the prospect can handle it.
"A lot of times guys move positions because they're not good at one, and that's not the case with him," Daniels said. "He's a plus defensive third baseman, he's just behind probably the best third baseman in the game right now. We're looking at ways he can contribute and protecting ourselves in the case of injury. But I know from the guys that saw him do it at Double-A, and Gary (Pettis) talked about working with him, everyone feels he's capable. He has plenty of arm and is athletic enough to handle it."
* Daniels expects Nelson Cruz to arrive in camp Friday. He didn't have any update on MLB's investigation and didn't think he'd hear anything until the investigation ends.