MLB.com<\/a>, the 39-year-old McCutchen, who recently signed a minor-league contract with Texas, went 1-for-3 with an RBI double in his debut at Peoria Stadium.<\/p>\nThe hit was a reminder that the former National League MVP still possesses plenty of pop in his bat.<\/p>\n
As McCutchen exited the Rangers\u2019 visiting clubhouse after the game, teammate Sam Haggerty could be heard shouting toward him in appreciation.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s still got it!\u201d Haggerty exclaimed as he headed to his car.<\/p>\n
McCutchen\u2019s lone hit came in the form of a sharply struck double that produced an RBI.<\/p>\n
The ball left his bat at 104.1 MPH, one of two hard-hit balls he produced during the game.<\/p>\n
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Earlier in the contest, he also lined out on a ball that registered 100.9 mph off the bat.<\/p>\n
For McCutchen, the performance represented an encouraging first step as he works to quickly get up to game speed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels good to get back out there on the field and try to get the game speed of things going,\u201d McCutchen said. \u201cI trust in my work this offseason, and trust in that process as best as I can, going out there. I\u2019m trying not to overdo it and just stay within myself.”<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a good day,\u201d he added. \u201cI feel like I saw the ball well, worked a couple full counts and made some good contact.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCutchen officially joined the Rangers on Friday and spent the weekend taking live at-bats on the backfields in Surprise, Arizona, before appearing in his first official spring game on Monday.<\/p>\n
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Despite arriving late to camp, the veteran is well aware that time is limited if he hopes to earn a spot on the club\u2019s Opening Day roster.<\/p>\n
With just over two weeks remaining before the regular season begins, every opportunity to make an impression carries added weight.<\/p>\n
Even with the condensed timeline, McCutchen said the Rangers organization has helped him settle in quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve really enjoyed myself [this past week], and that’s credit to the Rangers organization,\u201d McCutchen said. \u201cThey’ve made me feel welcome since I’ve gotten here. They’ve let me just be a veteran, do what I need to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
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McCutchen also praised manager Skip Schumaker and the coaching staff for allowing him the flexibility to ease into camp while preparing for the possibility of contributing during the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven that there was only literally two and a half weeks left for a regular season, it speaks volumes of [Schumaker] and everyone involved,\u201d McCutchen said. \u201cI’ve really enjoyed myself, been able to be here and be comfortable very quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
For now, the Rangers will continue evaluating whether the longtime big-leaguer can carve out a role\u2014but his debut offered a strong early statement.<\/p>\n
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