SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Mike Napoli was the Rangers' No. 1 catcher during the playoffs, starting behind the plate in 14 of 17 games. Manager Ron Washington said that doesn't matter now.

He still has two front-line catchers in Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba, and Washington refuses to say who will be the club's No. 1 catcher.

"I'm not going by the playoffs," Washington said Thursday morning before the first workout for pitchers and catchers. "Both will get playing time. I'm going to do my best to utilize both of my catchers."

Torrealba led the Rangers with 95 starts behind the plate last season, the second most of his career. Napoli started in 57 games at catcher, which was the fewest of his career. But beginning Aug. 4, Napoli started 27 of the Rangers' final 51 games while Torrealba started 21.

Napoli earned the increased playing time by hitting .320 on the season with a career-high 72 runs scored, 30 home runs and 75 RBIs. Torrealba, who also started 13 games at designated hitter, hit .273 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs.

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"Obviously, it's the first day and I haven't talked to the skipper," Torrealba said. "I guess Napoli will play more than last year. He deserves it. I haven't talked to the skipper so I don't know my situation. I guess Napoli will be the starting catcher and hopefully I will get enough starts and enough at-bats."

Washington said the situation will be similar to last year when Napoli was used at catcher, first base and designated hitter. Napoli started 27 games at first base and 18 at designated hitter.

"We're fortunate to have two quality catchers," Washington said. "I'm going to make sure I get the most out of them. I plan on using Napoli the same as last year. He may get more time behind the plate, but he will also play first base and also DH."

Rangers catchers ended up hitting a combined .299 with a .500 slugging percentage in 2011. Both numbers were the highest for any team at catcher in the American League. Rangers catchers ranked second with a .354 on-base percentage, giving them an .854 OPS that was also the highest at the position in the league.

The .854 OPS was also the fourth highest for one season in club history. It was the highest since .846 in 2002, which was Ivan Rodriguez's last full season with the Rangers.

Napoli also distinguished himself defensively as Rangers pitchers had a 3.16 ERA when he was their catcher. They had a 4.31 ERA with Torrealba behind the plate. Napoli threw out 36.4 percent of attempted basestealers while Torrealba threw out 32.5 percent. Rangers catchers -- including Matt Treanor and Taylor Teagarden -- threw out 29.8 percent of attempted basestealers, the second-best percentage in the AL.

"It worked out really good last year," Torrealba said. "We both had good years. Well, I had a good year and he had an unbelievable year."

That's why Napoli ended up doing most of the catching in the playoffs while Torrealba watched from the dugout.

"It was kind of hard," Torrealba said. "Obviously, I want to play, especially in that situation. But it's over with. Hopefully, we'll get back to the playoffs and I'll get to play a little more."

Injuries could dictate playing time. Napoli missed three weeks in June with a strained left oblique muscle and also suffered a high ankle sprain in Game 6 of the World Series. The ankle remains a concern, but so far Napoli hasn't had any problems working out. He is expected to take his turn behind the plate this week as Rangers pitchers begin throwing bullpen sessions and live batting practice.

"We'll do what we have to do to bring him along slowly so he's ready on April 6 and not Feb. 23," Washington said.

April 6 is Opening Day. That's when the Rangers will also reveal their No. 1 catcher. Right now, Washington is only committing to using both in the same manner as last year.