ROUND ROCK - Joey Gallo knew.

On Thursday, Gallo, recovering from a groin injury, was relating the story of finding out that Nomar Mazara had been called up to the majors last month. Gallo and the rest of his teammates were exiting the showers in the tiny visitors clubhouse in Des Moines, Iowa when word the came down.

"I just looked around and said: 'He ain't coming back here'," Gallo said. "He is a freak. He doesn't ever feel pressure. All I want is to be up there with him."

That will happen eventually. First, though, Gallo must get over the last stages of a left groin strain that sidelined him on May 1. He said he will leave for Arizona for extended spring training work on Saturday and is hoping to be ready to be activated next week when the Express goes to hitter-friendly El Paso.

After that, it all depends on his performance and the health of the Rangers' corner infielders and outfielders. Gallo will return as a third baseman, but has played both first and the outfield. The Rangers have not discussed a position move with him at this point, but have Adrian Beltre now signed through 2018, Shin-Soo Choo signed through 2020 and Mazara under control through at least 2021. It would seem that first base, where Mitch Moreland will become a free agent after the season, would potentially be his most direct route back to the majors, barring an injury elsewhere.

"I don't mind it," Gallo said. "I played there in the past, with Team USA, in the minors. It's kind of fun over there."

Gallo has made significant strides in his approach at the plate. Before heading to the DL, he walked 17 times and struck out 21. A year ago, he struck out three times for every walk in Triple A and struck out in more than half of his 108 major league at-bats.

"I was having good at-bats and I think my two-strike approach was better," Gallo said. "I think this whole year, since spring training, I've just been more comfortable and confident. Last year, in spring training, it was like 'Do I belong here?' This spring it was like 'I do belong here'."

Then Gallo added one more thing: He really enjoyed hitting behind Mazara in the Express lineup the first week of the season and in the past. He'd love to do it again.