SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers kick off the exhibition schedule Wednesday, beginning a month of evaluation as they put together the final pieces on a mostly-settled roster. But staff writer Evan Grant knows you want answers now and he jumps to the ending to present his first mock roster of the spring:

Starting pitchers (5): LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Colby Lewis, LHP Martin Perez, LHP Derek Holland, RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez

The skinny: Chi Chi Gonzalez goes into camp as the favorite for the No. 5 spot, perhaps because of a higher ceiling, but he struggled down the stretch and must show the Rangers' more trust in his stuff again. Nick Martinez has been a part of the rotation for most of the last two years and started out fast last year before fading. If he gets back to attacking the inner part of the plate, it could even or tilt the race. If both struggle, veteran Jeremy Guthrie would be looked to be this year's Wandy Rodriguez; somebody to hold down a spot until injured guys (in this case Yu Darvish) return.

Relievers (7): RHP Shawn Tolleson, LHP Jake Diekman, RHP Sam Dyson, RHP Keone Kela, RHP Tom Wilhelmsen, LHP Andrew Faulkner, RHP Tony Barnette

The skinny: Five spots are locks for what should be one of the deepest bullpens in the AL. The questions: Do the Rangers carry a second lefty (I think so) and do they carry a true long reliever (I lean against). Though LHP Sam Freeman is out of options, the Rangers have enough left-handed depth not to carry a guy who struggles vs. lefties simply out of fear of losing him. Freeman simply must show better against lefties. If the Rangers don't carry a long man, Wilhelmsen could be asked to occasionally go multiple innings. If they decide they must have a long reliever it puts Barnette on the bubble and moves Cesar Ramos (who would offer the unique option of being a multi-inning lefty) and Jeremy Guthrie into the picture.

Catchers (2): Robinson Chirinos, Chris Gimenez

The skinny: Keep an eye on stout Michael McKenry, who possesses legitimate big league power. With a strong spring, he could force the Rangers to at least have a conversation. Jeff Banister is a fan dating back to Pittsburgh days. Gimenez, however, has a meal ticket that is hard to overlook: His body of work with Cole Hamels last year (they were 10-0 together).

Infielders (6): 1B Mitch Moreland, 2B Rougned Odor, 3B Adrian Beltre, SS Elvis Andrus, UTIL Hanser Alberto, DH-1B Prince Fielder

The skinny: There are no questions or surprises here and the only ones that could arise would be injury-related. The plan is for Jurickson Profar to start the season in the minors continuing to get reps on his rebuilt shoulder and for Joey Gallo to work on improving his plate discipline. There is nothing to see here.

Outfielders (5): LF Ian Desmond, CF Delino DeShields, RF Shin-Soo Choo, OF Drew Stubbs, OF-1B Ryan Rua.

The skinny: This version doesn't include Justin Ruggiano, who was originally part of the Rangers' left field platoon, but now that that is strictly a bench position, speed and defense become bigger priorities and Stubbs superior. Ruggiano's best chance might be to show he can play an adequate first base to increase his versatility. Problem is: Rua can already play some first and is optionable, which is not so insignificant considering the possibility looms Josh Hamilton might return in early May. But even then, who knows for how long. Optionable players are nice tools for roster manipulation.