SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Ian Kinsler was back at the top for the Texas Rangers, an early indication of how the lineup might change this season for the AL champions.
Manager Ron Washington wasn’t ready Thursday to declare whether Kinsler might be leading off this season like he did primarily in 2009. But that is clearly an option the manager is considering, even if it was just in the first intrasquad game of spring training.
Elvis Andrus batted first most of last season. He was hitting second in the lineup that included most of the expected starters.
Kinsler says he’d “love to lead off” but it doesn’t matter where he hits in the lineup. Kinsler had a career-high .382 on-base percentage last season.
