"Frank Francisco didn't have the type of résumé last spring to inspire the utmost confidence that he would succeed as the Texas Rangers' closer.With only six weeks' experience in the role, with an accomplished late-innings specialist only a false step away and without a full major-league season under his belt, Francisco had the support of only his coaches and teammates when the 2009 season opened.Francisco, though, said his mind was at ease.He had come to camp backed by his most intense off-season to date, and 12 straight save conversions to start the season and 25 overall reinforced the notion that hard work pays dividends later.That philosophy is fueling a quiet and productive spring this year for Francisco, who came to the Surprise Recreation Campus in better shape than in 2009 and has earned the Rangers' trust more than any reliever."The more you work, the more you last during the season," Francisco said. "What you do here now, that will show up later in the season. I'm trying to do everything to be ready for the first game."Francisco converted 25 of 29 save chances last season and struck out 57 batters in 49 1/3 innings. Opponents hit only .214 against the right-hander, and they didn't score a run against him until May 31.But three stints to the disabled list -- for right biceps tendinitis (May 7-21), right shoulder tendinitis (June 4-19) and pneumonia (July 11-Aug. 1) -- cost him 44 games.The injuries weren't as much of an off-season motivation for Francisco to increase his stamina as the pneumonia. He lost 14 pounds in two weeks, and his second-half ERA ballooned to 5.82 after a crisp 2.28 before the All-Star break."