Bold start: Tough cuts ahead for the 2026 Rangers as camp nears its end and the opening day lineup remains tightly guarded. But there’s more to the story than who’s on the 26-man roster today; this is about who could push for a bigger role and who might slip as spring unfolds.
Overview
The Rangers’ first full-squad workout happened on February 15 in Surprise, Arizona, with plans to depart for home on March 21. If you clock the calendar by their off day, that moment also marks the camp’s midway point. Now, after weeks of practice and evaluation, it’s time to reassess the roster. There aren’t many open jobs, and the roster should remain mostly stable at this stage. Still, there are intriguing competition angles, players gaining steam, and others cooling off, all worth watching as spring moves forward.
Starting rotation (5): Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker
What’s settled: The rotation remains largely unchanged. The Rangers want Rocker to win the job, reflecting the investment they made when they drafted him third overall. His first two spring starts have been solid—improved relative to last year’s spring, when he stumbled out of the race early.
Watch closely: Jacob Latz has been more impressive than Rocker so far. Latz has posted a strong first-pitch strike rate (about 63.2%) and has struck for strikes on 68.7% of his pitches. He hasn’t walked anyone in five spring innings. In Seattle his line wasn’t flawless—hitters reached in three of four early at-bats—but he settled in and completed three innings. The Rangers still feel Latz could contribute more as a bullpen option if rotation plans don’t tilt in his direction.
Contenders and concern: Cal Quantrill, now pitching for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, and Austin Gomber have struggled to a combined 11 runs on 19 hits in roughly 7⅓ innings. Hits have been plentiful in Arizona, and walks-plus-hit batters have outweighed strikeouts so far. Patrick Corbin remains a free-agent option if they want an experienced fallback.
Bullpen (8): Chris Martin, Robert Garcia, Jacob Latz, Jakob Junis, Cole Winn, Tyler Alexander, Carter Baumler, Alexis Diaz
What must be decided: Alexis Diaz has the most closing experience among the bullpen contenders, but last year’s velocity and first-pitch strike rate were down. To secure a job, he needs spring improvements in both areas. He’s on a major-league contract but has minor-league options remaining, which adds a layer of roster flexibility for the Rangers. In Diaz’s second spring appearance against established hitters, only 12 of 23 pitches were strikes, and his velocity hovered around 93 mph. Josh Sborz followed him and also touched 93 mph, though he’s in the process of returning from shoulder surgery. Diaz isn’t a lock yet.
Worth watching: Latz’s performance could reshape bullpen usage. If he’s rotated into the starting mix, that could create a multi-inning bullpen role. Non-roster invites Peyton Gray and Trey Supak are veteran minor leaguers with a tiny sample of spring innings—still, their efficiency (10 total innings, 1 unearned run, 11 strikeouts, 1 walk) makes them intriguing depth options.
Biggest mover: Gavin Collyer, a non-roster right-hander throwing 97–99 mph, continues to turn heads as a high-octane reliever possibility. Carter Baumler, the Rule 5 pick who must be kept on the MLB roster or offered back to Baltimore, has shown above-average stuff and solid strike-zone control and has stretched into a second inning in recent outings.
Catching (2): Kyle Higashioka, Danny Jansen
What must be decided: Whether one catcher can double as a part-time designated hitter, providing roster flexibility without overtaxing workloads. This remains a careful balancing act, given the demands of catchers who need to stay fresh for defensive duties.
Worth watching: Higashioka has been limited by a cranky back, resulting in five days between games. Managers will have to plan around that and consider whether a third catcher could be needed at times, potentially affecting other roster spots.
Top backup option discussions: Willie MacIver has emerged as a compelling third catcher candidate, drawing attention with solid plate discipline (five walks in 13 plate appearances). Jose Herrera, who possesses MLB experience, has struggled at the plate (2-for-16 with six strikeouts and one walk).
Infielders/DH (6): Jake Burger, Josh Smith, Corey Seager, Josh Jung, Joc Pederson (DH/1B), Ezequiel Duran (UTL)
What must be decided: Duran’s spot remains a question mark. He’s versatile enough to handle shortstop and third base and could provide right-handed depth in a second-base platoon. Yet he hasn’t produced consistently in the majors for two seasons and has started slowly this spring despite winter ball in the Dominican Republic. He does have a minor-league option remaining, and Tyler Wade has started spring strong as a utility alternative.
Worth watching: Jung’s status is a focal point. An adductor strain has paused his momentum, but he was swinging well before the injury. Upon return, he’ll have roughly 10–14 days to re-establish his rhythm and show he’s focused on process rather than results—his stated priority this spring. The setback is disappointing, but it also affords a chance to demonstrate intent through action when he’s back.
Biggest mover: Cam Cauley stands out as the top healthy position-player in the farm system right now. He leads with five extra-base hits in 26 at-bats (four doubles, one homer), posting a .625 slugging percentage. Cauley, 23, hit .253/.325/.448/.773 at Double-A Frisco last season with 15 homers. While spring may be too soon for him to crack the big league roster, he could eventually inherit Duran’s utility role during the year.
Outfield (5): Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter, Brandon Nimmo, Sam Haggerty, Mark Canha
What must be decided: Canha, at 37 and coming off a down year, still has something to contribute as a right-handed DH option and occasional left-handed hitter off the bench? He’s 1-for-8 against left-handers so far, so the evaluation continues.
Worth watching: Nimmo’s spring acclimation is gradual, with his first appearance anticipated soon and likely to slot him at the top of the order. Carter’s placement in the lineup remains a strategic question; pairing him with Nimmo at the top could enable back-to-back on-base threats and could influence late-inning bullpen matchups by presenting two left-handed options in a row.
Biggest mover: Aaron Zavala, a 2021 second-round pick who’s been a frequent minor-league caller during camp, has performed well in late-game scenarios. He’s gone 9-for-18 with two homers in camp but has struggled to replicate this success at higher levels, hitting .207 in Double-A and Triple-A over the past three seasons.
Bottom line
The Rangers are weighing how to balance defense, speed, power, and flexibility as they shape a roster that can adapt to a long season. Expect some players to push into new roles and others to prove they belong, even if the path isn’t obvious on day one.
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