76 Eli White 2B

The Rangers are prioritizing center field over utility infielder for White, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

White, who came through the system as an infielder, is in the mix for the final outfield job with a priority on center field, a position that is expected to be filled by Danny Santana to start the season. He's expected to open the season at Triple-A Nashville, where he can finish off the transition from infield to outfield. The Rangers looked at Nick Solak in center, but he will focus on third base for the rest of camp, leaving the backup center field job uncertain. White's shown an active bat this spring, going 7-for-16 with two home runs, a double, six RBI and seven runs scored in 11 Cactus League contests. If an issue arises in center, he's positioned himself for a call-up rather than Leody Taveras. White's better than adequate defensively and more advanced offensively.

White (shoulder) will start in right field and bat ninth in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

White spent the entire 2019 season at Triple-A Nashville, slashing .253/.337/.418 with 14 home runs and 14 steals before being shut down in late August with a shoulder injury. The 25-year-old is seemingly back to full health, as he appeared off the bench in two of the Rangers' first three Cactus League games, going 0-for-4. He'll now pick up his first start of the spring slate after Shin-Soo Choo (oblique) was scratched from the lineup.

White injured his shoulder and is not expected to return this season, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

White suffered the injury while playing the outfield for Triple-A Nashville and has not played since Aug. 20.

White will open the year with Triple-A Nashville, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

White, who was a key piece sent from Oakland to Texas in the three-team Jurickson Profar trade, logged a 132 wRC+ at Double-A last year and impressed scouts in the Arizona Fall League, so this assignment makes sense. He is pretty clearly the Rangers' best position prospect who could reach the majors in 2019.

White was traded to the Rangers as part of a three-team trade involving the A's and Rays, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

Jurickson Profar is going to Oakland, while Brock Burke, Kyle Bird, Yoel Espinal, White and international bonus money go to Texas, and Emilio Pagan, Rollie Lacy and the 38th pick in the 2019 draft go to Tampa Bay. White, a 6-foot-2 infielder capable of playing shortstop and second base, hit .306/.388/.450 with nine home runs and 18 steals in 578 plate appearances at Double-A in his age-23/24 season. He also impressed in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .344/.406/.459 with one home run and three steals in 61 at-bats.