Tuesday, August 04

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers’ roster got a bit of a makeover for 2026, subtracting players like Marcus Semien, Adolis García and Jonah Heim and adding players like Brandon Nimmo, Danny Jansen and MacKenzie Gore.

On top of that, they’ve got a new manager in Skip Schumaker, along with new staff members to usher in a new era in Arlington.

Here is a position-by-position prediction for Schumaker’s first Opening Day roster with the Rangers.

Catcher (2): Kyle Higashioka, Danny Jansen

After Texas parted ways with All-Star catcher Heim this offseason, the club signed Jansen to share catching duties with Higashioka. The two will likely split time behind the plate nearly equally.

First baseman (1): Jake Burger

Burger’s first season with the Rangers didn’t go as well as he hoped, including three stints on the injured list that kept him from getting into a groove. He had surgery on his left wrist this offseason and will be a full go for the start of Spring Training as he hopes to return to form in 2026.

Second baseman (1): Josh Smith

The one major position battle entering camp will be who replaces Marcus Semien at second base. Smith has long been seen as the leading internal candidate, though Ezequiel Duran, Cody Freeman and others will be options to compete for the spot.

Shortstop (1): Corey Seager

Seager, the Rangers’ franchise superstar, played just 102 games in 2026, by far the fewest of his Texas tenure. Despite the injuries that have plagued him over the past few seasons, he’s still one of the best players in baseball when he's healthy.

Third baseman (1): Josh Jung

2026 was the healthiest year of Jung’s professional career, but his offense declined once again as he failed to live up to his All-Star rookie season in 2023. This season, he remains the starter at the hot corner as he looks to improve upon his .684 OPS from '25.

Outfielders (3): Wyatt Langford, Brandon Nimmo, Evan Carter

The Rangers acquired Nimmo from the Mets in November, adding some more pop in an outfield that needed it last season. Nimmo joins a pair of young outfielders in Carter and Langford, both of whom are hoping for huge leaps forward in 2026.

DH (1): Joc Pederson

Pederson had the worst offensive season of his career in 2025, hitting .181 with a .613 OPS.

Bench/Utility (3): Sam Haggerty, Michael Helman, Ezequiel Duran

With the super utility Smith likely holding down second base, Texas will look to a trio of versatile players to fill the final bench spots. Haggerty and Helman played mostly outfield positions for the Rangers last season, though both can play the infield if necessary. Duran, a natural middle-infielder, can play all four infield positions and has a handful of starts in right and left field over the past few seasons.

Starting pitchers (5): Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Jack Leiter, MacKenzie Gore, Kumar Rocker

The Rangers’ trade for MacKenzie Gore solidified the rotation headed by deGrom and Eovaldi, with the Vandy Boys coming on the back end, though the fifth starter spot could still be up in the air in spring, with Rocker competing against Jacob Latz and a handful of non-roster invitees to round out the rotation.

Relief pitchers (8): Jacob Latz, Chris Martin, Robert Garcia, Alexis Díaz, Tyler Anderson, Jakob Junis, Cole Winn, Carter Baumler

Texas nearly fully rebuilt the bullpen after a handful of losses in free agency, though Díaz, Anderson and Junis were solid additions. Texas also brought back Martin on a one-year deal as he figures to be in the thick of the closer competition.

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