SURPRISE, Ariz. - On the day that spring training was supposed to begin with nothing but optimistic news, Rangers manager Jeff Banister stood at the front of a newly constructed and well-appointed conference room, looked out over nearly 50 staffers and told them that perhaps his closest friend in the organization has cancer.

Shortly after Banister made the announcement that third base coach Tony Beasley has a "relatively early stage" of rectal cancer, general manger Jon Daniels and Banister shared the news publicly.

"These aren't easy," Banister said, pausing for a moment after choking up. "It's a challenge. They are all challenges. This one for me - I've known this guy so long, he's basically family - is really tough. It hits you emotionally. When I look out at that room and don't see him there, that's difficult."

Beasley, 49, and Banister have a relationship that dates nearly 25 years. The two also lived together during spring training and instructional league during the early stages of their coaching careers. He was the one coach Banister brought in from the outside after he was hired by the Rangers.

For now, the Rangers have no plans to replace Beasley on a temporary basis. Beasley will report to camp Friday and participate in drills while undergoing chemotherapy. If the treatment leaves him too weak to work on the field, the Rangers will then consider temporary internal fill-ins.

"We will just wait and see how he feels before we take the next step and decide what we may or may not do," Daniels said. "He is a huge part of what we have done and what we will do. We are committed to helping him get through this.

"As positive a person as he is, when he shows up, you'll see the same face and the same energy," Daniels said. "Baseball can be a good distraction for him. And we need him here. We need him here as much as he needs to be here."

Working with Jayce Tingler, Beasley was instrumental last year in increased efficiency in the Rangers' running game. The Rangers were credited with a net gain of 142 bases last year via baserunning, according to Baseball Information Systems analysis. It was by far the best in baseball and represented a jump of 118 bases over 2014.

Beasley also developed a strong relationship with Elvis Andrus that helped the shortstop turn his season around.