Spring Training is the perfect playground for players trying out new positions, especially when they're vying for a spot on the 26-man roster. The Rangers are no different, with manager Skip Schumaker confirming that infielder Justin Foscue will be testing the waters in the outfield.
Foscue, who’s mostly been a designated hitter in his 19 major league appearances, has had stints at first and second base. His journey through Texas’ farm system has seen him primarily at second base, with some time at the corner infield spots but never in the outfield.
As Evan Grant reports, the Rangers aren't planning a full-time position switch for Foscue. Instead, they want him ready to step into a corner outfield role if needed. With Brandon Nimmo, Evan Carter, and Wyatt Langford locking down the starting outfield, Foscue's right-handed bat could provide a strategic advantage against left-handed pitchers, giving the team flexibility with lineup matchups.
Foscue himself acknowledges the opportunity: “If I do what I’m supposed to do offensively, it should take care of itself, regardless [of position]. But having the ability to play outfield gives me some versatility with whatever matchups they want to throw out there, and it makes my game better. So I’m obviously open to that.”
Drafted 14th overall in 2020, Foscue has shown promise in Triple-A, boasting a .266/.379/.471 slash line with 46 home runs over 1235 plate appearances. However, his major league stint has been less impressive, with just three hits in 53 plate appearances, translating to a .059/.094/.098 line. More consistent playing time might help him find his footing, but the Rangers need to see more before committing to him at the big league level.
Foscue is in a competitive mix for bench spots alongside Michael Helman, Ezequiel Duran, Sam Haggerty, and several minor league signings like Mark Canha, Tyler Wade, Nick Pratto, and Jonah Bride. Cody Freeman was also in this race before a lower back fracture sidelined him for 4-6 weeks. Helman, dealing with hip and groin soreness, was scratched from a game but seems to have a less severe issue.
In other injury news, pitching prospect Winston Santos will miss about four weeks due to a fracture in his left hand, sustained during a live batting practice session. Santos, who turns 24 in April, has had his share of injuries, with back problems limiting him to 17 1/3 innings in 2025. Despite a challenging ERA, his impressive strikeout and walk rates suggest potential.
Ranked as the third-best prospect in the Rangers’ system by MLB Pipeline, Santos boasts a 97mph fastball with significant movement. There's hope for his major league debut in 2026, though this injury is a setback.
On a brighter note, Brandon Nimmo's first spring with the Rangers has been an eye-opener. Known for a limited Spring Training regimen during his Mets tenure, Nimmo's focus on workouts and live at-bats over games has seemingly boosted his durability.
Playing in 609 of 648 regular-season games over the past four years, Nimmo has hit .259/.346/.434 with 88 homers. After being traded for Marcus Semien, he's poised to continue his strong performance in Texas.