Tuesday, April 22

ARLINGTON -- We’re about two weeks into the season and with my first weekend away from the team in 2025, I thought it would be a good time to field some questions from fans. 

The Rangers just lost their first series to the Cubs in Chicago and dropped the first two games in Seattle, which has been a house of horrors for the club in recent years. But in spite of that, Texas will return home multiple games above .500. Bruce Bochy’s club is off to a fine start, despite Jacob deGrom not yet being at his best and a variety of offensive struggles. 

So let’s dive in.  

How will Josh Smith be used when Josh Jung comes back from IL? -- @ar1959_ on X

This question was sent before Jung returned from his injured list stint, but also before Wyatt Langford landed on the IL with an ailment of his own (right oblique strain). 

That in and of itself illustrates Smith’s usefulness. He won a Silver Slugger Award at the utility position last season and will no doubt continue to be used in that role as the season goes forward. Bochy has obviously wanted to keep Smith in the lineup, and that will include getting his reps at all positions. This year, he’s played third base in Jung’s absence and left field in Langford’s. Over the last four years, he’s played shortstop when Corey Seager needs days off. He can do the same for second baseman Marcus Semien if that ever comes up. He even spelled Jake Burger for a day at first base last week.

That's the beauty of having a player like Smith, who is so dynamic in the field, and basically a plus defender at every position.

How is Evan Carter doing and does the club envision calling him up soon or just when he is needed for a roster spot? -- @BIGDOG31 on X

Carter was sent to Triple-A Round Rock at the start of the season to get his swing back to where it was in 2023, when he was one of many World Series heroes for the Rangers. 

Everything since that postseason run has been a struggle for Carter, including a back injury that cost him his first full year in the big leagues. Now, he’s slashing just .115/.324/.231 in his first eight games for the Express. 

All of that being said, as we saw with Langford’s injury this week, the Rangers aren’t going to call up Carter if they don't feel like he is in a place to face big league pitching and contribute consistently, even if there is a need for a body in the outfield. There are a number of other players they can use to fill in spots, including several already on the big league roster, like Kevin Pillar or Ezequiel Duran or Dustin Harris. 

Carter clearly doesn't have his swing back to where it was in 2023 just yet. They're going to keep letting him work through those mechanical issues down in Round Rock while he tries to figure that out before calling him up.

If the baseball gods were to smile on the team and keep deGrom healthy the entire season (a huge IF), what would be the cap on how many innings they’d let him throw? -- @RookieMisteak on X 

deGrom said early in Spring Training that his goal every year is to make 30 starts and throw 200 innings. That is not plausible this year, not only because he’s coming off Tommy John surgery, but also because he hasn’t hit those numbers since 2019 because of a number of injuries. 

I think when it comes to deGrom’s workload this season, it’s going to be a feel thing, as much as anything. Obviously, he can’t throw 200 innings. But if you could get 20 starts out of deGrom, I think the Rangers would consider that a win. The Rangers’ staff and deGrom are of course going to keep an eye on his arm and his body as they navigate the situation while seeking to get the most out of one of the best pitchers in the world.

Will Marcus Semien remain in the leadoff spot? -- Various internet commenters

Let’s start with the fact Semien has hit leadoff in all but 12 games he’s played in during the Bochy era. Semien also wasn’t very good last season. Both of these things are true. 

This offseason, both Bochy and president of baseball operations Chris Young mentioned the possibility of moving Semien out of the leadoff spot. That’s likely still a consideration. But Bochy also won’t make any rash decisions just 15 games into the season. He’s a guy who likes this sort of consistency and won’t change at the drop of a hat. 

The batting order could change in the coming months. But likely not before May, when there’s a true sense of where Semien -- and everybody else -- is at with swing and timing. 

But again, everything is going to be on the table. It’s likely being talked about.

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