{"id":637963,"date":"2026-03-22T23:11:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T23:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/637963\/"},"modified":"2026-03-22T23:11:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T23:11:21","slug":"as-rangers-weigh-final-few-roster-spots-what-are-the-biggest-factors-in-their-decisions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/637963\/","title":{"rendered":"As Rangers weigh final few roster spots, what are the biggest factors in their decisions?"},"content":{"rendered":"

SURPRISE, Ariz. \u2014 First-year Texas Rangers<\/a> manager Skip Schumaker wanted a competitive camp. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s a bit easier to make that declaration before the full squad even reports than it is to parse through the fallout of one. <\/p>\n

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\u2019t find appropriate candidates, but rather as Schumaker conveyed through the final week of camp, the relatively strong performance of each option has forced \u201creally hard decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what makes it so hard,\u201d Schumaker said. \u201cThere\u2019s some guys that had some really good camps.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Schumaker believes that the Rangers were able to gather enough data \u2014 on nonroster invitees and rostered players in competition \u2014 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<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t love the conversations because they are such good dudes, and they\u2019re having such great camps, and probably a lot of the questions when we do have them will be, \u2018What else could I have done?\u2019\u201d Schumaker said. \u201cI\u2019ve been in that seat, and that part\u2019s hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are the three conversations left to be had. <\/p>\n

Who\u2019ll be the fifth starter? The competition between left-hander Jacob Latz and right-hander Kumar Rocker produced no decisive winner in camp<\/a>. The impact of each player\u2019s individual role on the rest of the staff might carry as much weight as their respective abilities. <\/p>\n

If Latz is named the fifth starter, Rocker\u2019s destination becomes a question, though the Rangers haven\u2019t 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\u2019s roster flexibility as it pertains to arms that can easily be shuttled to and from the minor leagues. <\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

Latz impressed as a starter last season, and he\u2019d 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<\/a>. Rocker\u2019s stuff is starter-quality \u2014 as evidenced by the 98 mph fastballs and lethal sliders he chucked in his last spring start<\/a> \u2014 but his still-in-development changeup and struggles with the run game remain concerns. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s whatever position I can be in to help the team,\u201d Rocker said Thursday. \u201cI think they\u2019re going to find the best position for that. I\u2019m excited for whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019re able to retained, though Schumaker said that both will be considered for bullpen roles too. <\/p>\n

Who\u2019ll 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 \u2014 who may have been closer to the edge at the camp\u2019s midpoint \u2014 hit three home runs in his last seven games to boost his candidacy as the club\u2019s utility option. <\/p>\n

That leaves five players for one roster spot. <\/p>\n

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\u2019s surge might\u2019ve knocked the 31-year-old down a rung. <\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

McCutchen and Mark Canha \u2014 two veterans who\u2019d effectively fill the same role of backup designated hitter and reserve outfielder \u2014 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. <\/p>\n

Canha surged in the last two weeks of camp and finished with a .300\/.333\/.525 slash line. He\u2019s 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\u2019s just a matter of whether the Rangers believe McCutchen could play that role better. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

The last spot could go to either right-hander Carter Baumler or right-hander Josh Sborz. <\/p>\n

Baumler, a Rule 5 draftee, hamstrings their flexibility<\/a>. He\u2019d need to be offered back to the Baltimore Orioles if he isn\u2019t on the opening day roster and he hasn\u2019t pitched above the Double-A level. He\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that he hasn\u2019t given up a run but also worked on fastball at the top, fastball at the bottom [is encouraging],\u201d Schumaker said. \u201cWe 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 \u2018yes.\u2019 He\u2019s controlled the running game, he\u2019s gone multiple innings, he\u2019s gone back to back. He\u2019s done an excellent job, and it\u2019s a very interesting potential piece in the bullpen. I don\u2019t know what role, potentially, it\u2019s going to be, but it\u2019s a pretty interesting piece for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Texas Rangers top 30 prospects: No. 3 AJ Russell is impressing with \u2018electric\u2019 fastball <\/a>Texas Rangers closing in on bullpen staff for opening day with Ryan Brasier release<\/a><\/p>\n

Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Click or tap here to sign up for our Rangers newsletter.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SURPRISE, Ariz. \u2014 First-year Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker wanted a competitive camp. It\u2019s a bit easier to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":637964,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2393],"tags":[4805,5,360,4,149,14902,185,1567,69,3240],"class_list":{"0":"post-637963","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-texas-rangers","8":"tag-article","9":"tag-baseball","10":"tag-kumar-rocker","11":"tag-mlb","12":"tag-rangers","13":"tag-skip-schumaker","14":"tag-sports","15":"tag-texas","16":"tag-texas-rangers","17":"tag-texasrangers"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116275360530156007","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/637963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=637963"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/637963\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/637964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=637963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=637963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=637963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}