SURPRISE, Ariz. — First-year Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker wanted a competitive camp.
It’s a bit easier to make that declaration before the full squad even reports than it is to parse through the fallout of one.
The Rangers have not yet made final decisions on what will likely amount to four available roster spots with two exhibitions left to play vs. the Kansas City Royals on Monday and Tuesday at Globe Life Field. The holdup is not that the Rangers can’t find appropriate candidates, but rather as Schumaker conveyed through the final week of camp, the relatively strong performance of each option has forced “really hard decisions.”
“That’s what makes it so hard,” Schumaker said. “There’s some guys that had some really good camps.”
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Schumaker believes that the Rangers were able to gather enough data — on nonroster invitees and rostered players in competition — over the course of the spring. Of the hitters in competition for a roster spot, all but designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, who signed midway through camp, received at least 30 at-bats in Cactus League play. Three of the four candidates for the fifth starter role logged double digit innings. The three most likely options to fill the bullpen vacancies each pitched in at least seven games and were able to simulate the duties of a reliever as best as possible in exhibitions.
“I don’t love the conversations because they are such good dudes, and they’re having such great camps, and probably a lot of the questions when we do have them will be, ‘What else could I have done?’” Schumaker said. “I’ve been in that seat, and that part’s hard.”
Here are the three conversations left to be had.
Who’ll be the fifth starter? The competition between left-hander Jacob Latz and right-hander Kumar Rocker produced no decisive winner in camp. The impact of each player’s individual role on the rest of the staff might carry as much weight as their respective abilities.
If Latz is named the fifth starter, Rocker’s destination becomes a question, though the Rangers haven’t ruled out the idea that each could be carried and that both could make starts or operate in piggyback roles early in the season. If Rocker is named the fifth starter, Latz could pitch out of the bullpen in a multi-inning or long reliever role, but that may limit the club’s roster flexibility as it pertains to arms that can easily be shuttled to and from the minor leagues.
Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker delivers during the second inning of a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
Latz impressed as a starter last season, and he’d give the Rangers another left-handed option alongside MacKenzie Gore, but his inability to maintain fastball velocity deeper into games this spring is at the very least a point of interest. Rocker’s stuff is starter-quality — as evidenced by the 98 mph fastballs and lethal sliders he chucked in his last spring start — but his still-in-development changeup and struggles with the run game remain concerns.
“It’s whatever position I can be in to help the team,” Rocker said Thursday. “I think they’re going to find the best position for that. I’m excited for whatever.”
The Rangers have not entirely ruled out the veteran duo of right-hander Cal Quantrill and right-hander Austin Gomber. The two are signed to minor league deals and would have significant value as depth starters at Triple-A Round Rock if they’re able to retained, though Schumaker said that both will be considered for bullpen roles too.
Who’ll land the final bench spot? Two of the three bench positions should be considered theoretically claimed. Utility outfielder Sam Haggerty was an asset against left-handed pitchers last season and his spring performance (.316/.469/.474 slash line in 16 games) should leave the Rangers no doubts. Infielder Ezequiel Duran — who may have been closer to the edge at the camp’s midpoint — hit three home runs in his last seven games to boost his candidacy as the club’s utility option.
That leaves five players for one roster spot.
Outfielders Alejandro Osuna and Michael Helman may be on the outside of that group, and because both have minor league options left, it might make sense to start each at Triple-A Round Rock to maintain organizational depth. Tyler Wade had a strong camp and finished second teamwide in total hits, but Duran’s surge might’ve knocked the 31-year-old down a rung.
Texas Rangers outfielder Mark Canha steps to the plate during the first inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
McCutchen and Mark Canha — two veterans who’d effectively fill the same role of backup designated hitter and reserve outfielder — have made excellent cases for a roster spot. McCutchen, a 39-year-old former National League MVP, has performed well this spring (1.361 OPS in seven games), provided real value against southpaws last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates (.742 OPS in 131 at bats) and fits the culture that Schumaker has worked to build. The Rangers would also be comfortable with him in the outfield for select occasions.
Canha surged in the last two weeks of camp and finished with a .300/.333/.525 slash line. He’s a better option in the outfield than McCutchen and has experience at first base, but last season he posted just a .607 OPS against left-handers and was 2 for 15 against them this spring. His value is as a right-handed bat that could potentially spell designated hitter Joc Pederson against lefties. It’s just a matter of whether the Rangers believe McCutchen could play that role better.
Who rounds out the bullpen? The two estimated gigs on the relief staff might arguably be the easiest jobs to sort through, though if Latz and Rocker make the team, or if one of Quantrill or Gomber does, it becomes a tad murkier. Regardless, though, the Rangers need an optionable reliever and right-hander Luis Curvelo fits the description.
The last spot could go to either right-hander Carter Baumler or right-hander Josh Sborz.
Baumler, a Rule 5 draftee, hamstrings their flexibility. He’d need to be offered back to the Baltimore Orioles if he isn’t on the opening day roster and he hasn’t pitched above the Double-A level. He’s also been among their best camp performers. The 24-year-old did not allow a run in seven games and he showed that his plus curveball can be thrown for strikes. Schumaker believes that Baumler answered a number of questions that the Rangers had given his inexperience.
Texas Rangers pitcher Carter Baumler delivers during the seventh inning of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
“The fact that he hasn’t given up a run but also worked on fastball at the top, fastball at the bottom [is encouraging],” Schumaker said. “We knew he had a really good curveball. Could he strike it early? Could he strike the ball late like we talked about for six weeks? The answer to all of it is ‘yes.’ He’s controlled the running game, he’s gone multiple innings, he’s gone back to back. He’s done an excellent job, and it’s a very interesting potential piece in the bullpen. I don’t know what role, potentially, it’s going to be, but it’s a pretty interesting piece for sure.”
This would allow Sborz, who did not pitch last season after elbow surgery, to continue his progression in the minor leagues. He trended up by the end of camp and got his fastball velocity back up to 94 mph. It might not hurt to give him additional time to build up and into form.
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