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Luke Jackson Luke Jackson Handed loss Opening Day
Fri, Mar 28, 2025, 10:06 AM
Jackson (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox after surrendering three runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.
Analysis: The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2 and struck out Triston Casas to open the frame, but he then allowed a single and a walk before serving up a three-run homer to Wilyer Abreu. Jackson emerged as the apparent favorite for saves late in spring training, and though Thursday wasn't a save situation, his 2025 campaign is off to an inauspicious start. Chris Martin and Robert Garcia are also in the closer mix, and rookie Marc Church could also be involved. |
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Nathan Eovaldi Nathan Eovaldi Fans nine in six strong innings
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:41 PM
Eovaldi didn't factor into the decision after giving up two runs on three hits in six innings Thursday against Boston. He struck out nine.
Analysis: It was a strong performance by Eovaldi, who bounced back following a shaky spring training that saw him yield eight runs in 13 Cactus League innings. The veteran right-hander mostly kept the Red Sox bats quiet, but he did allow a Connor Wong single to drive in a run in the third inning and a Wilyer Abreu home run to plate another in the fifth frame. Eovaldi will look to build on this outing in his next scheduled start on the road Tuesday against the Reds, though he may carry more risk in fantasy leagues than usual at the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. |
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Kyle Higashioka Kyle Higashioka Double, RBI in opener
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 7:36 PM
Higashioka started at catcher and went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Red Sox.
Analysis: Higashioka got the call behind the plate against a left-hander ahead of primary backstop Jonah Heim. The Rangers are expected to have a relatively even split at catcher, so this may not be a strict platoon based on the the handedness of the opponent's starter. Higashioka has hit double-digit home runs in four consecutive seasons while never getting more than 246 at-bats on any one season. |
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Kevin Pillar Kevin Pillar Makes impact in Ranger debut
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 7:22 PM
Pillar started in center field and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 5-2 loss to Boston.
Analysis: Pillar started over Leody Taveras against a left-hander and made an immediate impact with an RBI-single in his first at-bat as a Ranger. He singled in next plate appearance and scored on a Kyle Higashioka double. The 13-year veteran, playing for his 10th MLB team, beat out prospect Evan Carter during spring training to earn a roster spot. Pillar is expected to be part of a platoon with the switch-hitting Taveras, who has a career .612 OPS against southpaws. |
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Leody Taveras Leody Taveras Sitting against southpaw
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 3:02 PM
Taveras is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: The switch-hitting Taveras looks set to open the season as the Rangers' primary center fielder after Evan Carter was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock earlier this week. However, Taveras will occasionally hit the bench against certain left-handers, and he'll give way to Kevin Pillar in center field Thursday while Boston sends southpaw Garrett Crochet to the bump. |
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Joc Pederson Joc Pederson On bench for opener
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 2:59 PM
Pederson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: Pederson is expected to serve as the Rangers' primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching this season, but he'll take a seat Thursday while the Red Sox send southpaw Garrett Crochet to the bump. Corey Seager is managing a calf injury and will get a day off from shortstop and step in as Texas' DH. |
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Jonah Heim Jonah Heim On bench for opener
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 2:55 PM
Heim is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Red Sox.
Analysis: Heim has served as Texas' primary backstop for the past three seasons, but he'll give way to Kyle Higashioka behind the plate as the Rangers open the 2025 campaign. After he saw his OPS drop 152 points from .755 in 2023 to .603 in 2024, Heim could be at risk of moving into more a timeshare at catcher with Higashioka in the fold. Higashioka is coming off a 2024 season in San Diego in which he posted a .739 OPS over 263 plate appearances during the regular season. |
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Jack Leiter Jack Leiter Unfazed by batting practice mishap
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 2:35 PM
Leiter was hit in the top of the head by a flyball during a batting practice Thursday, but he remains on track to start Friday against the Red Sox, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Analysis: Leiter was likely sent for testing after the mishap, but he quickly returned to the field and appears to be fine. The young right-hander earned a spot in the Rangers' rotation after posting a 3.48 ERA and 21:10 K:BB over 20.2 innings during Cactus League play. |
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Corey Seager Corey Seager Gets nod at DH in opener
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 11:29 AM
Seager (calf) will start at designated hitter and will bat second in Thursday's season opener versus the Red Sox.
Analysis: Though Seager's availability for Opening Day wasn't in much doubt after he took live batting practice Wednesday without incident, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy was unsure whether the five-time All-Star would be able to play shortstop Thursday while he manages a sore calf. Per Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com, Seager was able to do some light running in the outfield earlier Thursday, but the Rangers ultimately chose to exercise some caution by deploying him in a non-defensive role in the first game of the season. Josh Smith will draw the start at shortstop in the opener, but Seager could resume playing in the infield at some point this weekend. |
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Caleb Boushley Caleb Boushley Starting 2025 in Triple-A
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 5:54 PM
The Rangers assigned Boushley to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
Analysis: Boushley signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers in November after appearing in just two regular-season games for the Twins in 2024. He appeared in eight spring training games and posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 11 innings. Boushley will start the 2025 campaign in Little Rock, but he could get a major-league call-up if the Rangers need right-handed depth out of the bullpen. |
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Joe Barlow Joe Barlow Starting 2025 in Triple-A
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 5:48 PM
The Rangers assigned Barlow to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
Analysis: Barlow signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers in February, but he wasn't able to crack the Opening Day roster after finishing spring training after allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings. He last saw major-league action in 2023 with the Rangers, and he could be called up by Texas should there be a need of right-handed depth out of the bullpen. |
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Kevin Pillar Kevin Pillar Contract selected
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 5:28 PM
The Rangers selected Pillar's contract from Double-A Frisco on Wednesday.
Analysis: Pillar initially planned for 2025 to mark the first year of his retirement, but after changing his mind in December and slashing .273/.320/.386 in spring training, the 36-year-old now finds himself on Texas' Opening Day roster. His best chance to play will be as a DH against left-handed starters; otherwise, Pillar likely won't crack the starting nine very often. |
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Josh Jung Josh Jung Ready to go for Opening Day
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 4:05 PM
Jung (neck) remains on track to play Opening Day against the Red Sox, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Analysis: Jung exited Monday's exhibition game with a stiff neck and was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to the injury, but he's not in any danger of missing Thursday's opener. The 27-year-old is in line to serve as the Rangers' everyday third baseman this season. |
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Corey Seager Corey Seager Takes live BP, expected to play
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 3:59 PM
Seager (calf) took live batting practice Wednesday and is expected to be ready for Thursday's opener versus the Red Sox, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Analysis: Seager was held out of the Rangers' final three exhibition contests because of a sore calf, but he doesn't seem to be in any danger of missing Opening Day. The shortstop has reached the 30-homer mark in all three regular seasons with Texas. |
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Tyler Mahle Tyler Mahle Now lined up for third game
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 3:48 AM
Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Mahle will likely start the Rangers' third game of the season Saturday against the Red Sox, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The skipper had previously indicated Mahle would start the second game of the regular season. However, Bochy has since changed his tune and it now sounds like Jack Leiter will start Friday ahead of Mahle and Jacob deGrom in Games 3 and 4, respectively. Mahle required an MRI on his forearm earlier this spring, but he was able to turn the page in a hurry and convince the team of his readiness for the start of the 2025 campaign. |
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Marc Church Marc Church Named to Opening Day roster
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 4:48 PM
Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Church has made the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: The skipper mentioned Church as a possible closer candidate earlier in camp, and Church's impressive strikeout stuff certainly warrants him being in that conversation. However, the 23-year-old righty finished Cactus League play with four runs allowed in 8.2 innings, so save opportunities now seem likely be split between Luke Jackson, Chris Martin and Robert Garcia to begin the season. |
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Gerson Garabito Gerson Garabito Nabs roster spot
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 4:39 PM
Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Garabito will be on Texas' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: Garabito ended the spring with eight runs (seven earned) allowed with 10 strikeouts over 11.1 innings. He'll begin the season with the Rangers despite his shaky performance, though he'll likely be limited to low-leverage situations. |
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Patrick Corbin Patrick Corbin Eyes April 11 for season debut
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 12:27 PM
The Rangers optioned Corbin to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: Corbin's tenure meant he had to agree to being sent down, which he did so that he could continue to build up stamina after signing with the Rangers last week. He is slated to make two starts in the minors, with the goal of joining the Rangers' rotation April 11 against the Mariners. |
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Kevin Pillar Kevin Pillar Makes Opening Day roster
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 12:24 PM
Pillar will be on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: Pillar said late last season that he was going to retire, but he changed his mind and has now made an Opening Day roster. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Pillar could see some starts against lefties between designated hitter and center field, although the skipper noted that a platoon in center with Leody Taveras is not a guarantee. |
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Leody Taveras Leody Taveras Wins Texas center-field job
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 12:21 PM
Taveras will be the Rangers' starting center fielder after Evan Carter was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: Taveras came into spring training in line to serve as the club's fourth outfielder, but he outplayed Carter by a wide margin, finishing with a .747 OPS with four home runs and four stolen bases during Cactus League play. The switch hitter could sit in favor of Kevin Pillar against some lefties, but manager Bruce Bochy said a platoon in center field isn't guaranteed, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. |
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