Notes: Solak to try first base; Andrus adjusts

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers’ first-base position is still to be decided here in Summer Camp.

Add Nick Solak to the list of candidates. He is expected to get playing time at first base over the next three weeks. He also will see time in center field, third base and second base, but the Rangers appear intrigued by the possibility of Solak at first.

“I'm going to try everything I can to get him into the lineup,” manager Chris Woodward said Saturday. “I am not ruling any spot out as an everyday spot. I think first base, there is an opening there. First base is definitely a spot I am going to get him some action.”

Ronald Guzmán and Greg Bird have been listed as the leading candidates at first base, but neither has yet to seize the job. Guzmán was 7-for-33 (.212) and Bird was 3-for-29 (.103) in Cactus League games in Spring Training.

Both are also left-handed hitters. If Solak can handle first base, he could at least give the Rangers a right-handed option and allow Todd Frazier to be anchored at third base.

• Kluber, Minor 'commanding the baseball' | 5 Rangers storylines

Solak’s best position is second, and he never has played first as a professional. But he has been taking ground balls there while working out at Globe Life Field during the shutdown.

“As I made sure I was getting my ground balls at second and third, I was also bouncing over to first base,” Solak said. “Just seeing balls off the bat at that angle, working around the bag just to get some time over there.”

The Rangers have high regard for Solak’s offensive potential. Getting him into the lineup might be a challenge for Woodward, but Solak must also earn his time. He played in only 33 games for the Rangers as a rookie last season while hitting .293/.393/.491.

He was 7-for-36 (.194) in Spring Training while spending much of the early portion of the Cactus League in center field.

“I had wanted to see what center field looked like and didn't want to distract him for the first couple of weeks of camp and games,” Woodward said. “But we had planned to get him some work at first base.

“His offense is a threat, but he's still got a lot to prove at this level. Do I believe in Nick Solak? Yes, for sure. I've been really impressed, but he's still got things to prove. I've told our guys that if a guy gets hot, I'm going to ride that guy a little bit."

Andrus dealing with social realities
The Rangers are getting their indoctrination on the principles of strict social distancing. This could be tough for shortstop Elvis Andrus, who is one of the team leaders but has always been one of the Rangers’ more personable and outgoing teammates.

“Personally, I think it’s going to be the high-fiving and the handshakes,” Andrus said of the most difficult adjustments. “I’m the one to have handshakes with everyone before the games and joking around. I think that’s going to be the hardest thing to not do during the games. I know that I need to make that change.

“Especially over the next few days and the next few weeks, it’ll be really important for me to get myself used to avoiding high-fives, the hugging, the joking around and being close to each other in the dugout. Knowing that, it’s not going to be easy, but that’s what I need to [do] for us to be safe and to maintain our health.”

Rangers beat
• Right-hander Derek Law threw two innings Saturday in a simulated game. He threw 32 pitches, struck out four and allowed a home run by Eli White.

• Left-hander Taylor Hearn went one inning with a walk and two strikeouts. He threw 20 pitches, nine for strikes.

• Right-hander Kyle Gibson is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad game Sunday at Globe Life Field.