PEORIA, Ariz. -- Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is dealing with inflammation in the AC joint of his left shoulder and required a quick trip back to Texas.

Choo was examined by Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday and received an anti-inflammation injection. The situation is not believed to be serious, and Choo returned to Arizona on Tuesday night. The Rangers are expecting Choo to be ready as their designated hitter as early as this weekend.

“I know he has had it in the past,” manager Chris Woodward said. “Obviously he can hit. As long as he gets at-bats, he’ll be fine. We’ll see how the arm progresses as far as his throwing. Just try to get him as many at-bats as possible before he starts throwing. He is not concerned with it. He has dealt with it before, he has had injections before.

Choo, 36 is expected to be the Rangers' primary DH this season but can still play the outfield if needed. He was used in 85 games at DH and 59 games in the outfield last year.

Cabrera makes dazzling catch

Asdrúbal Cabrera made his first start at third base for the Rangers on Tuesday in a 4-4 tie with the Mariners, and the ball found him immediately. Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon led off the first with a line drive and Cabrera made a diving catch to his left for the out.

Adrian Beltre couldn’t have done it any better.

“I don’t think I am even close to being Adrian Beltre,” Cabrera said. “For me, he was one of the best third basemen. I just want to be myself and do my best to help the team.”

Cabrera has been a shortstop for most of his career and had played just 67 games at third base before signing with the Rangers. He's been getting extra work at third base early in camp with infield coach Tony Beasley.

“He has been working his tail off,” Woodward said of Cabrera. “Tony couldn’t be happier with his work and dedication to his job.”

Rangers sign Forsythe

The Rangers have signed veteran infielder Logan Forsythe to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Forsythe has played mostly second base in his career, but the Rangers want to see him play shortstop as well.

He has played just 21 games there in his eight-year career. But Woodward worked with Forsythe as a coach with the Dodgers the past two years and knows his ability.

“I trust he can do it, I’ve seen him do it,” Woodward said. “I’ve hit him ground balls many times at that position so seeing him in games will be important and I have told him that. He is one of the better second basemen I have been around. Third base, he is exceptional. Shortstop is where he has to prove his worth to this team.”

The Rangers have been looking for more infield depth. Christian Lopes and Chase d’Arnaud are in camp on Minor League contracts but both are sidelined with strained oblique muscles. The Rangers also have veteran Nolan Fontana and rookies Eli White and Andy Ibanez as non-roster middle infielders in camp.

Rangers beat:

• Lance Lynn and Shawn Kelley both threw simulated games back in Surprise. Lynn threw 32 pitches over two innings and Kelley went 20 pitches in one inning. Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor were the hitters.

• Adrian Sampson has been working on his slider as a swing-and- miss pitch, and he struck out Edwin Encarnacion with the offering during the first inning against the Mariners on Tuesday. His ability to develop that pitch will be critical for him this spring.

• Hunter Pence was in the Rangers' lineup for the second straight game at designated hitter but is not ready to play the field because of a sore right shoulder.

• Left-hander Kyle Bird was impressive in retiring six straight hitters over two innings against the Mariners. He retired Ichiro Suzuki on a fly to right for his final out.

Up next

Edinson Volquez make his first start of the spring when he pitches against the Cubs at 1:05 p.m. CT Wednesday in Surprise. Volquez missed the entire 2018 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he has reported to camp on schedule with the rest of the pitching staff.