The Texas Rangers optioned infielder Ezequiel Duran to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday and selected the contract of outfielder Derek Hill from Round Rock in a corresponding move. The team also activated infield prospect Justin Foscue (oblique) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Round Rock. Duran will probably resurface with the Rangers in the big leagues at some point in 2024, but for now he'll head to the minors to work on his craft. The 25-year-old Dominican infielder had a solid first full season in the big leagues in 2023 with the Rangers, slashing .276/.324/.443 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI and eight stolen bases in 122 games, but he's taken a step back this year and is currently slashing .256/.294/.324 with only two home runs and 13 RBI in 187 plate appearances over 58 games played.
Texas Rangers infielder/outfielder Ezequiel Duran kept a hot bat on Sunday versus the Colorado Rockies. Duran went 2-for-3 with a walk and a double. His two hits marked his fourth straight multi-hit performance. Duran has seen an uptick in play with rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford (hamstring) and third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) both on the injured list and has taken advantage of it with 13 hits over his last 26 at-bats. He doesn't have any homers this year and only has four RBI with one stolen base, but managers looking for hits should consider Duran. With eligibility at first baseman, third base, shortstop and outfielder, Duran can be a helpful player for managers in deeper leagues until he cools off with the bat.
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that infielder Ezequiel Duran will now spend more time at third base and the infield as a whole than in the outfield with starting third baseman Josh Jung (calf) out for two to three weeks with a calf strain suffered in Friday. The team's No. 6 prospect, Justin Foscue, will also get reps at the hot corner, but he'll likely get most of his reps on the right side of the infield at first and second. Jung's injury also opens the door for the coaching staff to get more in-depth looks at non-roster invitees Jonathan Ornelas, Davis Wendzel and Matt Duffy. Duran and Josh Smith will see a lot of time on the left side of the infield this spring with Jung and Corey Seager (groin) injured. Duran, 24, got off to a great start in 2023 before fading down the stretch and not even playing in the team's World Series run. His versatility is an asset, but playing time is going to be hard to come by unless injuries open up time for him on the infield.
Texas Rangers infielder/outfielder Ezequiel Duran is not in the team's starting lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. Duran has just one hit in his last four games, so it's a good time for a breather for the 24-year-old Dominican infielder. In nine games in the month of June, he has gone 8-for-30 (.267) with two doubles, a home run and five RBI in 34 trips to the plate. Duran has become fantasy relevant earlier than expected for Texas and has the raw tools to continue playing every day because of his versatility. So far in just his second major-league season, Duran is hitting an impressive .295 (49-for-166) with 10 doubles, eight home runs, 28 RBI, three stolen bases and 25 runs scored in 49 games. He's currently rostered in 67 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Texas Rangers outfielder Ezequiel Duran went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer in a 9-6 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in 12 innings on Monday. Duran ripped a three-run shot off of Angels starter Tyler Anderson in the second inning. The blast traveled 421 feet and had an exit velocity of 103.9 MPH. Duran is now hitting .310 with eight homers, 25 runs, 28 RBI, and three steals across 158 at-bats. He has been red-hot of late, batting .340 with three homers and nine RBI over his past 15 games. Duran is worth a look as a waiver add in fantasy while he's swinging a hot bat.
Texas Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran (oblique) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday. He is making his return to the field after missing some time due to a right oblique issue. The 24-year-old is putting together a surprisingly strong start to the season. He's slashing .301/.340/.515 with seven home runs, 23 RBI in 34 games. He'll cover left field and bat eighth versus right-hander Bryan Woo on Saturday.
Ezequiel Duran Officially Placed On Injured List On Saturday
Texas Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran (oblique) requires a trip to the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 24, due to right oblique discomfort. He's been out of the lineup with the pain for a few days and Texas has elected to play it safe with their breakout infielder. The 24-year-old brings a budding .301 average and .855 OPS with seven long balls, 23 RBI, and three swipes to the mend. It behooves fantasy managers to stash the aggressive Duran, who possess plenty of untapped power and speed potential still in his reserves. Each of the right-hander's xBA, xSLG, and sprint speed reside in the 90th percentile of major leaguers, per Statcast.
Texas Rangers infielder Ezequiel Duran (rib cage) had some rib-cage soreness during a swing on Tuesday night and is out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Duran says he's OK and the Rangers are saying he's probably fine as well, but they are giving him the day off as a precaution. Fantasy managers should consider the 24-year-old to be day-to-day for now. Corey Seager is serving as the designated hitter and batting second, while Josh H. Smith is at shortstop and batting eighth on Wednesday against Pirates right-hander Johan Oviedo. Duran has been excellent for fantasy managers through 40 games, hitting .301 (41-for-136) with eight doubles, seven home runs, 23 RBI, three steals and 19 runs scored.
Texas Rangers second baseman Ezequiel Duran is out of the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This appears to be a rare rest day for the right-hander slugger. He has played in 22 straight games, so Duran could use a day off. He's slashing .308/.348/.526 with seven homers, 23 RBI in 33 games this season. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly with Duran on the bench. The expectation is that he'll be back in the lineup following Monday's contest.
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said on Tuesday that infielder Ezequiel Duran will continue to get "a lot" of playing time, even after shortstop Corey Seager (hamstring) returns from the injured list. Duran has been starting every day and was bumped up to the second spot in the batting order on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners. The 23-year-old Dominican infielder came into Tuesday's game hitting an impressive .307 (27-for-88) with four doubles, four home runs, 16 RBI, two stolen bases and 12 runs scored in 27 games played for the Rangers. Duran will need to draw more free passes if he wants to keep his average and on-base percentage high, but he's clearly worth holding onto in deep-mixed leagues if he continues to see regular playing time in Texas' potent lineup.
