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Josh Smith Josh Smith Collects two hits in return Thu, May 15, 2025, 7:45 AM Smith started at shortstop and went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Rockies. Analysis: Smith returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sore lower back. He was back at shortstop, where the Rangers have a need after the club placed Corey Seager (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list. Texas manager Bruce Bochy said it's possible Seager will need more than the 10-day minimum, so Smith should see ample opportunities as a fill-in at short.
Wyatt Langford Wyatt Langford Swats homer in win Thu, May 15, 2025, 7:41 AM Langford went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 8-3 win over Colorado. Analysis: Langford gave Texas an early lead with a two-run blast in the first inning. It was his second home run in three games and team-leading eighth through 34 contests. That's half as many as he hit during his rookie 2024 season over 134 games. He's second on the team with 18 RBI behind Adolis Garcia (24).
Jake Burger Jake Burger Knocks in two in win Thu, May 15, 2025, 7:37 AM Burger went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Rockies. Analysis: Burger has hit safely in all three games since his return from the minors. The three-game run pushed his average to a season-high .202.
Patrick Corbin Patrick Corbin Season-high nine Ks in third win Wed, May 14, 2025, 10:44 PM Corbin (3-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Rockies after allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out nine. Analysis: Corbin established a new season high with nine punchouts, which also represented his most Ks in a start since 2023. Wednesday marked his second straight quality start, and the veteran left-hander also produced a strong 15 swinging strikes, notably fanning six in a row at one point. Corbin will take a solid 3.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB over 37.2 frames into a tough matchup on the road against the Yankees, who boast an .878 OPS versus left-handed pitching through their first 42 games.
Adolis Garcia Adolis Garcia Cracks sixth homer in win Wed, May 14, 2025, 10:14 PM Garcia went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 8-3 win over Colorado. Analysis: Wednesday marked the 10th multi-hit game of the season by Garcia, who notched his sixth home run of the campaign as well. The veteran outfielder has hit in the cleanup spot in six of Texas' last seven games, but he's batting a mere .185 with two doubles and four RBI during this span. Fantasy managers should remain patient with Garcia, who entered Wednesday with an elite 15.7 percent barrel rate on the season.
Jonah Heim Jonah Heim Resting Wednesday Wed, May 14, 2025, 4:59 PM Heim is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies. Analysis: Kyle Higashioka will draw a start behind the plate while Heim takes a seat for the second time in the series. Heim still appears to be the Rangers' preferred option behind the plate, though he'll likely be subject to more frequent rest days now that Higashioka is back in the fold after a recent stint on the injured list.
Josh Smith Josh Smith Makes return to lineup Wed, May 14, 2025, 3:19 PM Smith (back) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game against the Rockies. Analysis: Smith had missed the Rangers' last two games while tending to a sore lower back, but the team had labeled him as day-to-day and never expressed much concern that he would require a stint on the injured list. The super-utility man had made his previous two starts at first base before his brief absence, but he'll likely see the bulk of his reps at shortstop for the foreseeable future after the Rangers placed Corey Seager (hamstring) back on the IL on Tuesday. Smith took over as the everyday leadoff man earlier this month and should continue to maintain those duties while he's gotten on base at a .389 clip through his first 36 games of the season.
Chris Martin Chris Martin MRI comes back negative Wed, May 14, 2025, 3:13 PM Martin said Wednesday that an MRI on his right elbow came back negative, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports. Analysis: Martin was removed from Tuesday's game against the Rockies due to tightness in his pitching elbow, but he looks to have avoided a major injury. The reliever will play catch pregame Wednesday but is likely to be unavailable for at least a day or two.
Corey Seager Corey Seager Could be out longer than 10 days Wed, May 14, 2025, 11:44 AM Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said it's possible Seager (hamstring) will require longer than a minimum stay on the 10-day injured list, MLB.com reports. Analysis: Seager missed just 10 days of action the first time he strained his right hamstring, but the Rangers figure to be more cautious this time around after he aggravated the injury and had to go back on the IL this week. The shortstop is eligible for activation May 21 during the second game of a six-game road trip, but a return sometime during the Rangers' May 26 to June 1 homestand seems likelier for Seager.
Kevin Pillar Kevin Pillar Set to begin rehab assignment Wed, May 14, 2025, 10:50 AM Pillar (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday. Analysis: Pillar has missed the last week of action with lower-back inflammation but is ready to test himself in a game setting. He is eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list at any point and shouldn't need many rehab at-bats before rejoining the Rangers' active roster.
Shawn Armstrong Shawn Armstrong Strikes out side for first save Tue, May 13, 2025, 10:26 PM Armstrong picked up the save after throwing a clean ninth inning in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Colorado. He struck out three. Analysis: Chris Martin was initially summoned to work the ninth, but he was pulled before recording an out due to right elbow tightness. That setback coupled with setup man Robert Garcia having worked each of the past two days forced manager Bruce Bochy to turn to Armstrong, who struck out the side on 17 pitches for his first save of the year. Luke Jackson is currently managing a hand injury, so Armstrong could be in line for a short-term boost in high-leverage work until Texas' bullpen gets healthier. Armstrong owns a 3.06 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings this season.
Josh Jung Josh Jung Fifth career multi-homer game Tue, May 13, 2025, 10:18 PM Jung went 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Colorado. Analysis: Jung got Texas on the board in the first inning with a two-run home run off Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland, later tacking on an insurance run with another homer in the eighth. It was the fifth career multi-homer effort by Jung, who now has five extra-base hits through 12 games in May. The 27-year-old third baseman has also hit four long balls over his last seven games, hitting .360 with seven RBI over 25 at-bats in that span.
Chris Martin Chris Martin Exits with elbow tightness Tue, May 13, 2025, 10:01 PM Martin was removed from Tuesday's game against the Rockies due to right elbow tightness, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Analysis: Martin threw just one pitch Tuesday before signaling to come out of the game. He'll presumably undergo tests to determine if he's dealing with any structural damage, and the Rangers should know more about his injury in the near future. With Luke Jackson (hand) also nursing an injury, Robert Garcia may now be the top high-leverage arm in Texas' bullpen.
Jack Leiter Jack Leiter Gets back on track in third win Tue, May 13, 2025, 9:53 PM Leiter (3-2) earned the win Tuesday against the Rockies after allowing one run on two hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out five. Analysis: Facing a paltry Rockies lineup, Leiter turned in his longest start of the season and certainly his finest since coming off the injured list. The 25-year-old right-hander had given up 12 runs over his last 13 innings (three starts) since returning from a finger issue, with Tuesday marking his first quality start in 2025. Leiter owns a 4.34 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB across 29 innings on the campaign, and he'll face a tough test in his next scheduled outing this weekend versus an improving Astros offense.
Josh Smith Josh Smith Not starting Tuesday Tue, May 13, 2025, 4:14 PM Smith (back) is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Rockies on Tuesday. Analysis: Smith will be out of Texas' lineup for a second consecutive game while nursing a sore lower back. Jake Burger will start at first base and bat seventh while Ezequiel Duran mans shortstop against Rockies southpaw Kyle Freeland.
Kyle Higashioka Kyle Higashioka Returns from 10-day IL Tue, May 13, 2025, 3:59 PM The Rangers activated Higashioka (intercostal) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Analysis: Higashioka has been out for all of May with a mild left intercostal strain but is ready to go after playing in two rehab games. Tucker Barnhart remains on the roster, so the Rangers will carry three catchers for the time being.
Corey Seager Corey Seager Placed on IL Tue, May 13, 2025, 3:55 PM Seager (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Analysis: This will be Seager's second IL stint of the season with a right hamstring strain. The last time he missed under two weeks. Josh Smith (back) and Ezequiel Duran should fill in at shortstop. Kyle Higashioka was recalled in a corresponding move.
Luke Jackson Luke Jackson Hand still swollen Tue, May 13, 2025, 3:24 PM Jackson's hand is still swollen Tuesday but he's optimistic he'll be able to avoid the injured list, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Analysis: Jackson reportedly has a decent amount of strength and is squeezing a stress ball after getting hit on the hand by a comebacker Monday. Jacob Webb got the save after Jackson exited, but Chris Martin or Robert Garcia could also be options to get saves while Jackson is unavailable.
Ezequiel Duran Ezequiel Duran Gets another start at shortstop Tue, May 13, 2025, 7:43 AM Duran started at shortstop for a second straight game and went 0-for-3 with a run scored in Monday's 2-1 win over the Rockies. Analysis: Duran filled in for the injured Corey Seager (hamstring) again. This would normally be a spot for Josh Smith, but he was unavailable due to back soreness. Duran is 3-for-9 with a double and two runs scored since being called up from Triple-A Round Rock last week.
Evan Carter Evan Carter Elevates to leadoff Tue, May 13, 2025, 7:38 AM Carter batted leadoff and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Monday's 2-1 win over Colorado. Analysis: Carter moved up to leadoff because Josh Smith was unavailable due to back soreness. Carter swiped a base for the second consecutive game and is batting .240/.269/.360 in seven games since his return to the majors.