ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Texas Rangers have an optimistic new manager, a converted middle infielder taking over for a retired star at third base and a rotation filled with starters who have missed significant time following surgery.

First-time manager Chris Woodward is now in charge of a team coming off consecutive losing seasons for the first time in a decade, with a lineup full of 20-something position players and a rotation bearing promise - if they can all stay healthy.

"I told those guys it doesn't matter what people say on the outside, that eternal belief is there, and they already have it," Woodward said. "I guess I'm most optimistic because they have it, they have it already. ... This group does believe in each other, they have a really strong bond with one another."