As the Texas Rangers gear up for Opening Day on March 26, 2026, against the Phillies in Philadelphia, their roster is beginning to take shape. With just ten days to go, let's dive into what the lineup might look like.
On the position player front, the signing of Andrew McCutchen has been a pivotal move. Despite joining on a minor league deal, McCutchen's presence in camp is no fluke.
Even at 39, following a season with a 95 wRC+, the Rangers clearly envision him as part of their 2026 plans. His impressive spring performance, boasting a .586/.706/.833 slash line over five games, has certainly solidified his spot on the roster.
McCutchen is expected to share designated hitter duties with Joc Pederson. After a tough 2025 and a slow start in 2026, Pederson is looking to rebound.
He's been working at first base to offer manager Skip Schumaker more lineup flexibility. While Pederson will get his shot this season, the pressure is on to perform.
The rest of the Rangers' lineup appears set, barring injuries. Behind the plate, Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka will handle catching duties.
The infield features Jake Burger, Josh Smith, Corey Seager, Josh Jung, and Ezequiel Duran. In the outfield, Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, Brandon Nimmo, and Sam Haggerty are ready to roll.
Smith has emerged as the clear choice for second base, while Duran's utility role was cemented following Cody Freeman's injury. Tyler Wade remains an option, but it's unlikely the Rangers will make room for him on the 40-man roster at Duran's expense.
Turning to the pitching staff, the first four rotation spots are locked in with Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, MacKenzie Gore, and Jack Leiter. The battle for the fifth spot is between Jacob Latz and Kumar Rocker.
Latz has the edge, but his bullpen potential could see him shifted there, allowing Rocker to join the rotation. Cody Bradford is also expected to be ready by May, adding another layer to the decision.
The bullpen is mostly set with Robert Garcia, Chris Martin, Jakob Junis, Tyler Alexander, and Jalen Beeks. Cole Winn and Rule 5 pick Carter Baumler are in a must-keep situation due to roster rules, and both have performed well enough to secure their spots.
The final bullpen slot remains open. If Rocker takes the fifth starter role, Latz could slide into this spot.
Otherwise, Luis Curvelo, already on the 40-man roster, seems poised to claim it. Other contenders include non-roster invitees like Ryan Brasier and Patrick Murphy.
Josh Sborz is also in the mix, though his reduced velocity is a concern. The Rangers might also explore late waiver claims or minor trades to fill the gap.
Ultimately, the main questions revolve around who will secure the fifth starter position and the last bullpen spot. The answers to these questions are interconnected, and the decisions will shape the final roster.
To accommodate McCutchen and potentially another reliever on the 40-man roster, the Rangers may need to make some cuts. Michel Otanez and Dairon Blanco are likely candidates for designation, though surprises are always possible in the final days of roster decisions.