Texas Rangers News

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter said that he wants to steal 30 bases during the 2026 MLB season. Carter told Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News that he has something to prove this year, and reaching the 30-steal mark is one of his goals. Back spasms and a right wrist fracture limited the former second-round pick to just eight games after August 1st last season, so contributing consistently and staying healthy will be key for his fantasy value in 2026. He finished his third MLB campaign with a .247/.336/.392 slash line, five home runs, 14 stolen bases, an 8.6% walk rate, an 18.6% strikeout rate, and 107 wRC+ across 63 games. Carter hasn't stolen 30 bases in a single campaign since being drafted, but he did tally at least 26 in each of his first three minor league seasons, so that's a reasonable goal. As it stands, he ranks as the #84 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.

Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford, the fourth overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Florida, was on the injured list three separate times in 2025 with an oblique injury, but he still managed to hit 22 home runs and steal 22 bases in 134 games played. The 24-year-old right-handed slugger also missed time during his rookie campaign with a hamstring issue. If Langford can stay healthy over a full season, though, he could do considerable damage for fantasy managers. In his two seasons in the big leagues, he's produced a .247/.335/.423 slash line with a .758 OPS, 38 home runs, 136 RBI, 147 runs scored, and 41 stolen bases in 268 games and 1,130 plate appearances. Langford could see more time in center field against left-handed pitchers, which wouldn't exactly be ideal from a health perspective. Despite injury concerns in Langford's profile, his power/speed upside puts him firmly within the top 20 fantasy outfielders.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (shoulder, hernia) does not expect to have any limitations ahead of spring training next month, he said during an appearance on the SportsDay Rangers podcast. Eovaldi suffered a season-ending rotator cuff strain last August, followed by a sports hernia that required surgery in October. However, it sounds like he's nearing full health, and not only will he be a full-go for spring training, but he should be cleared to make the Opening Day rotation. "I've been throwing multiple bullpens, and my arm feels great, body feels great, and I'm ready for the season to get going," he said. That's great news for the Rangers and fantasy baseball managers. Eovaldi pitched to a stellar 1.73 ERA last year, and his 2.80 FIP was also quite impressive despite suggesting he experienced some good luck. He should return to his terrific form this year, looking to maintain his phenomenal 8.93 K/9, 1.45 BB/9, and 50.3% ground ball rate from 2025. He currently projects as the No. 2 starter in an exciting rotation that also features Jacob deGrom and MacKenzie Gore. As it stands, Eovaldi ranks as the #42 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.

Across three seasons from 2022 to 2024, injuries limited Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom to just 20 total starts. Heading into 2025, many wondered if the two-time Cy Young Award winner would ever return to form. However, deGrom managed to log a full season in 2025, posting a 12-8 record with a 2.97 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts across 172 2/3 innings (30 starts). While deGrom's 22.1% K-BB rate in 2025 isn't quite the level he posted at his peak, it's still an elite mark that demonstrates how much he still has left in the tank. Still, deGrom will turn 38 years old during the 2026 season, and his extensive injury track record means he still carries a significant health risk. In comparison to other elite starting pitching options, fantasy managers should likely lower their volume-based expectations for deGrom. At the same time, he carries significant upside and currently ranks as RotoBaller's number 11 starting pitcher in standard rotisserie scoring formats.

Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (wrist) is fully recovered from offseason wrist surgery and is expected to be a full-go for spring training, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. In 2025, Burger appeared in only 103 games and had a disappointing season in the batter's box, posting a low .236/.269/.419 line with 16 home runs and a high 24.7% K%. During the season, he battled numerous lingering injuries, including a wrist injury that now looks to be behind him. In 2023 and 2024, Burger launched at last 29 home runs in each season and held an overall .250/.205/.488 line with a 793 OPS. Managers should expect the 29-year-old to operate as the primary first baseman in Texas. He is a solid target late in drafts if looking for power, as he should return to his 25+ HR upside following a healthy offseason.

The Texas Rangers are acquiring left-hander MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Nationals will receive third baseman Gavin Fien, the 12th overall pick last year out of high school. Gore was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his third year in D.C., going 5-15 with a 4.17 ERA (3.74 FIP), 1.35 WHIP, career-high 185 strikeouts, and 64 walks in 30 starts over 159 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old southpaw looked like he was on his way to becoming a high-end fantasy starter in the first half, with a 3.02 ERA and 11.3 K/9 in his first 19 outings. But then everything fell apart, and Gore had a rough 6.75 ERA in his final 11 starts while also missing some time with ankle and shoulder injuries. Gore's strikeout upside gives him a decent floor, and the potential for more wins in Texas should raise his ADP going into the 2026 season.

The Texas Rangers announced on Tuesday that they have signed free-agent right-hander Josh Sborz to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Sborz returns to the organization he has spent the past five seasons with. The 32-year-old relief pitcher missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Over his six-year major league career, Sborz has posted a 4.96 ERA (3.94 FIP), a 1.33 WHIP, and 193 strikeouts across 163 1/3 innings. From a fantasy perspective, it's unlikely Sborz breaks camp with the big league club, and even if he does, he is not expected to be fantasy relevant. Although the Rangers' bullpen roles aren't crystal clear, most drafters expect Robert Garcia to open the 2026 season as the primary closer, with Chris Martin and Cole Winn also in the mix.

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent relief pitcher Jakob Junis to a deal on Sunday. They've agreed on a one-year, $4 million deal for the 2026 season. Junis played a critical role in the Cleveland Guardians bullpen last season. He registered a 2.97 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 55/18 K/BB ratio across 57 appearances. The expectation is that Junis will function as a middle reliever, which is going to limit his ceiling for fantasy purposes. The Rangers don't have a lockdown closer at the moment, but it's unclear if Junis will be used in that role. The 33-year-old has only two career saves during his nine-year MLB career. For now, the assumption is that Junis will function as a viable middle reliever.

Top Texas Rangers shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott is expected to make a strong push to join Triple-A at the start of the 2026 regular season. Last summer, the No. 6-ranked prospect in all of baseball (according to MLB Pipeline) spent the entire campaign with Double-A Frisco and was able to hold his own, suggesting he is ready for a promotion. Across 125 contests, the infielder posted a .255/.355/.386 slash line with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, and an eye-catching 32 stolen bases. He held a 108:70 K: BB and scored 71 runs. In 2024, Walcott spent most of his time with High-A and held a similar .261/.342/.443 line before earning a brief five-game taste of Double-A. If the 19-year-old can join Triple-A Round Rock early in the campaign, he could push for a second-half MLB debut. He is worth closely monitoring in all dynasty leagues and deeper redraft leagues, as he could be in the mix to debut in the back half of the regular season.

Free-agent shortstop Jax Biggers has signed a minor-league contract with the Houston Astros after spending the first seven seasons of his career in the Rangers' system. Biggers hit only .214 in 79 games in Double-A and Triple-A last season with one home run and 11 stolen bases. He showed more upside in 2024, posting a solid .275/.390/.382 slash with 22 doubles, three home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 71:87 BB:K ratio. He has never reached the MLB level, but with a change of scenery, he could be an interesting defense-first, contact-heavy middle infield option for the Astros. The team initially assigned him to Triple-A, but his position in the organization could change as major and minor league Spring Training unfolds.

The Texas Rangers have claimed right-handed pitcher Zak Kent off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals designated Kent for assignment earlier this week but the reliever was able to find a new club quickly. Last season, the 27-year-old made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians and posted a 4.58 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP across 17 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 16 hitters but served up free passes at a high 10.5% rate. He spent most of his 2025 season with Triple-A Columbus where he logged a strong 2.84 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP across 38 innings of relief. During this stint, Kent tallied two saves and totaled an impressive 50 punchouts. Managers should expect Kent to compete for a middle-relief role in the Texas bullpen during Spring Training.

Free-agent righty reliever Chris Martin has agreed to a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Martin, 39, was effective in 2025, posting a 2.98 ERA (3.11 SIERA) and a 24.7% strikeout rate over 42 1/3 innings. He recorded two saves and 13 holds last season and could see a few matchup-based closing chances again in 2026 because the incumbent closer, Robert Garcia, is a lefty. However, the Rangers also recently signed Alexis Diaz, so fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach before drafting any of the Rangers' relievers.

The Boston Red Sox could reunite with veteran right-handed reliever Chris Martin, who plans to pitch next season, a source told Chris Cotillo of Mass Live. Martin will be heading into his age-40 season in 2026, but he still wants to pitch, and Boston is interested. He was great in Beantown in 2023-24 with a 2.16 ERA, but he finished this past season on the injured list with thoracic outlet syndrome. Before getting hurt in 2025, Martin was solid for the Texas Rangers, posting a 2.98 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, two saves, 43 strikeouts, and eight walks in 42 1/3 innings pitched in relief. If Martin were to return to Boston, he'd most likely be in line to pitch in a high-leverage setup role in front of left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman. Martin had five saves in his two seasons with the BoSox. In 10 big-league seasons, he's sporting a 25.2% strikeout rate and an elite 3.3% walk rate.

The Texas Rangers have signed free-agent reliever Tyler Alexander to a one-year deal on Friday. Alexander split time between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox last season, posting a 4.98 ERA with 82 strikeouts and a 1.40 WHIP across 97 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old left-hander owns a career 4.63 ERA and is expected to provide bullpen depth for Texas. Alexander can safely be left off the fantasy radar for 2026.

Free-agent reliever Alexis Diaz has agreed to a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. D az endured a turbulent 2025 season, beginning the year on the injured list with a hamstring issue and quickly losing his closing role with the Cincinnati Reds after surrendering three home runs in a single outing during his mid-April debut. The 29-year-old was subsequently demoted to Triple-A and later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he lasted only a few weeks before being designated for assignment. He was then claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves and finished the season with a career-worst 8.15 ERA and a 14.1% walk rate, while striking out just 20% of batters faced. With the Rangers, D az projects as another bullpen arm, and at this point, he holds no fantasy relevance.

Free-agent catcher Danny Jansen has agreed to a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers. In 2025, Jansen slashed .215/.321/.399 with 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and 38 runs scored, good for a 103 wRC+ across 337 plate appearances. The 30-year-old also posted a career-high 25.5% strikeout rate, offset by a solid 12.5% walk rate. Jansen is expected to serve as the Rangers' primary catcher, though he will split time with Kyle Higashioka. From a fantasy standpoint, Jansen profiles best as a second catcher in two-catcher formats and is unlikely to be a viable option in standard 10- or 12-team leagues.

Free-agent infielder Jonah Bride and the Texas Rangers agreed to a minor-league contract with an invitation to major-league spring training on Tuesday, a source told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 29-year-old will reunite with new Rangers manager Skip Schumaker, for whom he had his best big-league season in 2024 with the Miami Marlins. Bride, a former 23rd-round pick by the Athletics in 2018 out of South Carolina, hit .276 (64-for-232) with 11 home runs, 39 RBI, and 30 runs scored in 71 games for the Fish in 2024. He hit a strong .281/.423/.453 in 43 games at Triple-A this year, but he struggled with a .435 OSP in 125 plate appearances with Miami and the Minnesota Twins this year. Bride will be auditioning for a roster spot with the Rangers in spring training, but he'll most likely open the 2026 season at Triple-A Round Rock as corner-infield insurance for Texas.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Mets are trading outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in exchange for second baseman Marcus Semien. Nimmo has spent his entire 10-year MLB career in Queens. Last season, the 32-year-old posted a .262/.324/.436 slash line with 25 long balls and 13 stolen bases. This was his third-straight campaign blasting at least 20 home runs and just the second-straight season in which he swiped double-digit bags. Under the hood, Nimmo held a .321 xwOBA with a .255 xBA, which placed him in the 47th and 54th percentiles among qualified hitters. In Texas, fantasy managers should expect Nimmo to see an everyday role in the outfield as the Rangers opted not to tender right fielder Adolis Garcia, who is testing free agency. In New York, Nimmo's departure could open up a spot on the Opening Day roster for budding outfield prospect Carson Benge.

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo has seen his name thrown about in trade rumors early on this offseason. However, Andy Martino of SNY reports that the Mets have not "asked (Nimmo) or his representatives if he'd be willing to waive" his full no-trade clause. While that does not mean the team won't approach Nimmo at a later date to gauge his interest, Martino's report highlights that any trade talks are still in the preliminary stages. Across 652 plate appearances in 2025, Nimmo slashed .262/.324/.436 with 25 home runs, 92 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. The 32-year-old Nimmo has spent his entire 10-year MLB career with the Mets. Still, with five years and over $100 million remaining on his current contract, New York may be looking to move off Nimmo before he hits his mid-30s.

Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year for the 2025 season, according to MLB. deGrom exceeded expectations for the Rangers this year while coming off Tommy John surgery, even if they weren't able to return to the postseason. The 37-year-old ace had not pitched since April of 2023 before returning in September of 2024. He finished the year 12-8 with a 2.97 ERA and 0.92 WHIP, which trailed only Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, who won back-to-back AL Cy Young awards, among qualified pitchers. deGrom's strong season earned him the fifth All-Star selection of his career, and he finished eighth in the AL Cy Young voting. Perhaps among the most surprising stats of the season was the fact that deGrom made 30 starts for the first time since 2019.