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\u201cI think what matters most is health,\u201d Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Sunday. \u201cI\u2019m going to say that the entire spring training.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rangers<\/p>\n
By signing up, you agree to our\u00a0Terms of Service<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n The team\u2019s full squad reported in one piece Sunday, save for a handful of pitchers who will be slow-played<\/a> over the next five weeks, and will now proceed into the first season of the Schumaker Era and their third removed from the World Series Era. <\/p>\n It\u2019s as good a start as any. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s what else we learned after one week of camp. <\/p>\n Sunday in Surprise: See photos from another day at Texas Rangers spring training<\/p>\n The camp clich\u00e9 might not be such a clich\u00e9: Yes, we get it, the whole best-shape-of-his-life declaration is a bit tired. The Rangers \u2014 or at least a handful of key contributors \u2014 have nonetheless taken it to heart. <\/p>\n Maybe body is more apt. <\/p>\n Designated hitter Joc Pederson, on the heels of a career-worst campaign in which he slashed .181\/.285\/.328 in an injury-shortened 96 games, estimated that he lost 15-20 pounds over the winter<\/a>. Left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery, signed last week for his second tour with the team, lost close to 25 pounds and cut 10% of his body fat<\/a>. First baseman Jake Burger picked up pilates to help mitigate the soft tissue injuries that nagged him in his debut season with the club. Infielder Josh Smith gave it a shot, too, as he vies for the second base job and a full season of consistency. Outfielder Evan Carter \u2014 whose last two seasons have been plagued by injury \u2014 came in at 190 pounds and looks noticeably stronger. <\/p>\n The physical improvements are ultimately moot if they don\u2019t translate to on-field improvements, but early returns are reflective of a group that recognized action needed to be taken after a dismal offensive season across the board. <\/p>\n Related<\/p>\n Speaking of Smith: Outside of the outfield, a group whose intrigue is more so rooted in specific alignment and less so the names that\u2019ll play there, the second base vacancy remains the most high-profile competition<\/a> on the position player side. <\/p>\n Smith has considerably more big league experience and a longer track record of offensive success compared to any other would-be second baseman on the roster. His work as a super-utility man, which saw him play seven different positions last season, suggests that he can pick up the position full-time even if he\u2019s only started eight games there as a major leaguer. <\/p>\n Take it from him. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d also never played left field, center field, right field or first base,\u201d Smith joked Saturday when asked how he\u2019d adapt to second. \u201cI\u2019m just trying to learn. I\u2019m speaking to some guys who\u2019ve done it before me. I know [Ian] Kinsler will probably be out here, so I\u2019d like to try and work with him on some stuff. Just getting comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith and infielder Cody Freeman both fielded groundballs at second base Sunday during the club\u2019s first full-squad workout. Infielder Ezequiel Duran, the third potential candidate to play second, took groundballs at third base alongside Josh Jung. <\/p>\n Don\u2019t be close-minded: The Rangers won\u2019t be, at least, as it pertains to their ninth-inning situation. Schumaker said that right-hander Chris Martin and left-hander Robert Garcia will get the early opportunities to close games<\/a> in spring training. <\/p>\n Texas Rangers pitcher Chris Martin motions from the bullpen during a spring training workout at the team’s training facility on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n Martin, 40, was effective when healthy last season, considered whether he wanted to continue his career early this offseason and had a metaphorical fire lit under him when the Rangers reached out about a reunion. <\/p>\n Garcia converted 9 of his 16 save opportunities last year before an August stumble led to his effective demotion. The 29-year-old said last week that he wants to close games this season \u201cas badly as I\u2019ve ever wanted something.\u201d <\/p>\n The closer role (and the fifth starter position) are the two most competitive position battles because Smith may have a sizable advantage to claim the second base vacancy. It\u2019ll also help determine the organization of the rest of the bullpen, too, as the Rangers have had to reconstruct their relief staff for the second consecutive offseason. <\/p>\n Coach corner: Fan favorite outfielder-turned-first base coach Travis Jankowski<\/a> ran baserunning drills with a group of players that included several of his former teammates Sunday during the first full-squad workout. The 34-year-old is in the midst of his first camp as a coach after more than a decade-long career as a player and will assist both on the basepaths and in the outfield. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll definitely help a lot for all of us in the outfield and on the bases,\u201d outfielder Wyatt Langford said. \u201cI\u2019m super excited for that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jankowski wore No. 16 in his two seasons as a player with the Rangers but will wear No. 96 as a coach. He said that it\u2019s the sum of his wife, Lindsey, and their four children\u2019s birthdates added together. <\/p>\n Housekeeping: Schumaker said Sunday that some players, like outfielders Wyatt Langford and Brandon Nimmo, might not play in the first handful of Cactus League games as part of individual ramp-up plans for the season. He stressed that the delayed starts are not related to injuries. <\/p>\n \u201cSome guys want it right away,\u201d Schumaker said. \u201cSome guys want to start game four or five or six or whatever down the road. I\u2019m walking through each guy\u2019s player plan as they\u2019re coming into the office the last few days. There\u2019s no setbacks or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n The Rangers begin Cactus League play Friday against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. <\/p>\n Twitter\/X: @McFarland_Shawn<\/a><\/p>\n Among the Rangers\u2019 issues last year, and there were plenty, was the clubhouse culture \u2014 or lack thereof.<\/p>\n Skip Schumaker still has all of spring training to tinker with the lineup, but early indications are he likes Nimmo leading things off.<\/p>\n Both Langford and Carter present viable options in center field for Texas, leaving Skip Schumaker with a decision to make.<\/p>\n Canha dealt with both on-field struggles and injuries with the Royals last season before he was ultimately designated for assignment.<\/p>\n Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771249697_110_FVNSPNSXWNEZ5HYRXCEOI5I33E.jpg\")
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<\/a>Newly acquired Brandon Nimmo in line to take over as Texas Rangers\u2019 new leadoff hitter<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771249700_158_JVU66PMYJNH6HM7X3L26C5DM74.jpg\")
<\/a>Wyatt Langford wants \u2018whatever\u2019s best\u2019 as Rangers work out plan for him, Evan Carter in CF<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RYU7AR64RJGQ5LL6HA3D57MAP4.jpg\")
<\/a>Texas Rangers add veteran Mark Canha on minor league deal for right-handed hitting depth<\/a><\/p>\n