Rangers' Berkman says calf strain is no issue

The Rangers describe him as "day to day" but were already being cautious with him as they planned before spring training started. Even before his calf started bugging him, he wasn't in the lineup for an intrasquad game Tuesday.

"I would phrase it as probably a little, just slightly more than normal muscle soreness," he said. "I think I did slightly strain it, but I don't think it's anything that's anything to worry about. During the workout, I started to feel a little bit, it started to tighten up on me. That's what it was."

He was quick to point out that if he had to play, say in a World Series game, he'd be in the lineup.

"His head is in the right place," manager Ron Washington said. "He really don't have to be ready to play until March 31, so we've got plenty of time."

As for what he'll do now with his calf, the six-time All-Star said he'd "wear a sleeve and do all the hocus pocus they like to do on that kind of stuff."

Notes: The Rangers agreed to terms Wednesday with four players on 2013 contracts. Among them was right-handed reliever Josh Lindblom ($500,100), who was acquired from Philadelphia in December in the trade that sent Michael young to the Phillies. The others were outfielders Craig Gentry ($501,000), Julio Borbon ($496,000) and Engel Beltre ($490,000).