ARLINGTON, TEXAS – On Monday night, the Texas Rangers returned to Globe Life Field for the first time in 2026 for the first of a two-game exhibition series against the Kansas City Royals.

Texas got the better of the Royals in the first of two exhibition games, taking home a 3-2 victory.

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Here are my three takeaways from Monday night’s game:

1. MacKenzie Gore’s Strong Start — For the first time in a Texas Rangers uniform, MacKenzie Gore took the mound at Globe Life Field.

In his final tune-up before the regular season, Gore looked sharp, going four shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out three batters and not allowing a walk.

Gore shook off an error by first baseman Jake Burger on the very first batter of the game by getting Bobby Witt Jr to fly out to center and striking out Lane Thomas and Salvador Perez.

In the second inning, Gore and the Rangers experienced a scary moment as he was hit on the back of the leg with a 106 MPH comebacker off the bat of Royals right fielder Starling Marte.

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After walking around the mound for a little bit and taking a couple of warm-up pitches, Gore remained in the game and finished his outing.

Gore would allow one hit in each of his last three innings of work, but stranded the runner each time.

The next time we see Gore will be in the Rangers’ third game of the season on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies as he makes his official Rangers debut.

2. Brandon Nimmo’s Big Blast — Much like Gore, Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo made his unofficial Rangers Globe Life Field debut.

Nimmo introduced himself to the Texas crowd in a big way, blasting a two-run home run into the right field seats in the third inning to account for the majority of the Rangers’ runs.

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During the 2026 season, Nimmo is set to be the Rangers’ primary leadoff hitter and right fielder, both of which he did in this game.

3. Carter Baumler’s Big Moment — Before Monday night’s game began, we got answers as to what most of the Rangers’ Opening Day roster was going to look like.

One spot that remained was a bullpen spot that had yet to officially be claimed… that was until the fifth inning.

Rule-Five draft pick Carter Baumler came out of the Rangers bullpen in the fifth in relief of MacKenzie Gore.

Baumler retired the first two Royals hitters that he faced before first-year Rangers manager Skip Schumaker came out to the mound.

Usually, when the manager comes to the mound, it’s because the pitcher is being pulled from the game, but Schumaker didn’t take the ball from Baumler.

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Instead, Schumaker informed Baumler that he would make the Opening Day roster when camp breaks on Tuesday.

Baumler was congratulated by his teammates on the field and, after he retired the next batter, received high fives from everyone in the Rangers’ dugout.

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