ARLINGTON — The opportunities for Ezequiel Duran to serve as an everyday player for the Texas Rangers have become slim. The opportunity for him to function as a productive platoon bat, though, remains.

That, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy will tell you, is no insignificant asset for a team with hopes of contention. Duran — for the first time this season — has recently shown the capability to play that role.

Related:Texas Rangers injury report: Evan Carter runs, plays catch; Josh Sborz’s ramp-up on pause

The 26-year-old infielder has slashed .321/.345/.393 in his last 15 games and played above-average defense at first base while Jake Burger continued his rehab.

Rangers

Be the smartest Rangers fan. Get the latest news.

Duran went 6 for 7, scored three runs and drove in three more when the Rangers won two of three games vs. the New York Yankees earlier this week. He hit a game-tying two-run single vs. All-Star left-hander Max Fried in Monday’s win vs. the Yankees and went 3 for 3 with a double vs. All-Star lefty Carlos Rodón in Wednesday’s loss.

“Your role players play such an important part of your season,” Bochy said before Friday’s game vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. “They have a critical role because when you do have an injury, or you’re giving a guy a day off, you need them to go out and perform and produce.”

Bochy believes that Duran is in a “better spot as far as his contact point” compared to earlier this season when he posted a sub-.200 batting average and split time between the major and minor leagues. Duran, who opened his stance and moved closer to the plate, has been timed up and has slashed .500/.500/.500 vs. fastballs since the second half of the season began.

He can provide the Rangers an option vs. left-handed pitching — which the Rangers have struggled against for the vast majority of this season — if he remains in form. Duran started at first base Friday vs. Phillies left-hander Christopher Sanchez.

“That’s what he’s done so well,” Bochy said. “That’s what he did in ‘23.”

Twitter: @McFarland_Shawn

Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Click or tap here to sign up for our Rangers newsletter.