The Rangers selected Pence's contract Thursday and will include him in their lineup for the season opener against the Cubs. He'll serve as the team's designated hitter and will bat fifth.

EDGE Analysis

Pence was informed about a week ago that he would break camp with the big club, so the transaction was merely a formality ahead of Opening Day. It's more surprising that Pence cracked the starting nine Thursday, with his inclusion leaving no room for Shin-Soo Choo. The Rangers haven't suggested that Choo is dealing with any sort of injury, so it's still not expected that Pence will be in line for an everyday role this season.

Pence will be on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pence's bat has trailed off in the last two seasons, and he hit just .226/.258/.332 in 97 games for the Giants last season. Still, the Rangers likely wanted some veteran leadership on their young, rebuilding roster. Willie Calhoun will subsequently lose out on a bench spot and head to Triple-A Round Rock.

Pence went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's game against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Pence, who had been limited by a sore shoulder, played the field for the first time this spring, and it didn't slow him down at the plate. The homer was the third of the Cactus League for Pence, who is mashing spring pitching (1.319 OPS). Signed to a minor league deal and invite to camp, Pence is hitting his way onto the Opening Day roster. He's blocked in right field, where he's played most of his career, by Nomar Mazara, but a role as fourth outfielder is within reach. If he maintains the offense, expect the rebuilding Rangers to flip him during the season.

Pence (shoulder) is scheduled to play the outfield for the first time this spring, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pence has been limited to designated hitter since the start of the Cactus League because of a sore right shoulder but has been going through all the defensive work in practice over the past week. The injured shoulder, however, has not slowed him down at the plate. Pence, who went 3-for-3 with a home run Sunday, is hitting .370 (10-for-27) with four doubles and two homers. If Pence cracks the Opening Day roster, it will be as a fourth outfielder.

Pence went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, a stolen base, a walk and two runs scored Thursday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Pence has yet to return to the field since suffering a right shoulder injury, but the issue didn't appear to bother him at the dish Thursday afternoon. He went deep in the seventh inning to bring Texas within a run, his first long ball of camp. The 35-year-old is 7-for-24 with a home run, three RBI, four stolen bases and five runs scored in spring training and hopes to play the field early next week.

Pence (shoulder) hopes to play the field early next week, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He has been limited to DH duty for over a week, but it sounds like things are trending in the right direction. Even if he makes the team out of camp, it seems unlikely that Pence would get enough playing time to be relevant in most formats.

Pence remains limited to a designated hitter role due to a sore shoulder, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pence has been battling the shoulder issue since at least mid-February. He is able to throw some in practice but isn't taking part in all team drills. After posting an ugly .226/.258/.332 line in 97 games for the Giants last season, it's likely that Pence needs to be fully healthy to claim a big-league role with his new team.

Pence is not ready to play in the field because of a sore right shoulder, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury hasn't prevented Pence from being the designated hitter. He served as the Rangers' DH for a second straight game Tuesday. The 35-year-old outfielder is in camp on a minor-league deal and is competing with prospect Willie Calhoun for a roster spot.

Pence (shoulder) will serve as the Rangers' designated hitter and bat third in Monday's Cactus League game against the Indians.

EDGE Analysis

Pence reported to camp last week nursing a sore shoulder, an injury that kept him slightly behind the rest of the Rangers' outfielders. It ultimately didn't prove to be a major setback to Pence's chances of cracking the Opening Day roster, as he'll be ready to go Monday after completing batting practice over the weekend without incident. Pence probably still has to produce well during Cactus League play and may also need Willie Calhoun to struggle in the spring if the 35-year-old is to break camp with the big club.

Pence (shoulder) was able to complete a round of batting practice Saturday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The activity amounts to a step forward for Pence in his recovery from a sore right shoulder, but his ability to throw without any pain will be a real test of his health. Given his status as a non-roster invitee, Pence probably can't afford an extended absence from Cactus League play if he hopes to secure a reserve outfield role with the big club once Opening Day arrives.