EZEQUIEL DURAN NEWS

Hits first homer of season Duran went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in Saturday's 18-3 victory over the Athletics.

Impact Duran's first long ball of the year came in the eighth inning, when the game was already out of reach. The second-year player now has six career homers after being called up in June. The former top 100 prospect is also on a four-game hit streak, so he seems to be coming into his own at the big-league level.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in three in win Duran went 1-for-5 with a double and three RBI in Wednesday's 12-3 win over the Royals.

Impact Duran got the start at designated against a right-handed starter, a role that typically goes to Robbie Grossman or Brad Miller. Perhaps it was reward for the two hits Duran had the previous day against a righty. He's been used sparingly to open the season, but Corey Seager's hamstring and an unsettled spot in left field could lead to more opportunities for Duran, who is 6-for-30 (.200) through 11 games.

APRIL 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stepping in as backup shortstop Duran will serve as the Rangers' backup shortstop while Corey Seager (hamstring) is sidelined, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Josh Smith started at shortstop Wednesday, and he is expected to remain the primary option at the position so long as Seager is out. Meanwhile, Duran has started only four games this season, all of which have come in left field. While Duran may see a slight uptick in playing time with Seager on the injured list, it appears that he is destined to remain a part-time player.

APRIL 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Removed for defense Duran started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Baltimore.

Impact Duran made his third start in left field and second consecutive with Josh Smith (face) unavailable. The Rangers love his bat, but Duran is relatively new to the outfield. As such, he was replaced by Travis Jankowski late in the game for defensive purposes. As reported by Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News, both Smith and Leody Taveras (oblique) are making progress in their returns to the lineup, which would squelch Duran's opportunities as an outfielder.

APRIL 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting start in left field Duran is starting in left field for the Rangers in Tuesday's game versus the Orioles.

Impact It will be just the second start in the majors in the outfield for Duran, who usually plays on the dirt. He could be due for an uptick in playing time in left if Josh Smith (face) needs to miss some time.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Enters for Smith Duran filled in at left field Monday after Josh Smith was hit in the face by a pitch. He went 0-for-2 in a 2-0 loss to Batlimore.

Impact Duran is primarily an utility infielder, but he was given exposure to left field during spring training. Expanding Duran's position versatility is about getting his potentially dangerous bat in the lineup. He's appeared in three games (one start) thus far and is 1-for-6.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ezequiel Duran Earns Rangers Roster Spot Texas Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran made the 26-man roster after a successful Spring Training.

APRIL 1, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Ezequiel Duran Earns Rangers Roster Spot Texas Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran made the 26-man roster after a successful Spring Training.

APRIL 1, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Ezequiel Duran Earns Rangers Roster Spot Texas Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran made the 26-man roster after a successful Spring Training.

APRIL 1, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Exposed to OF Duran started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk in Tuesday's spring game against the Royals.

Impact Duran raked during the spring, posting a .357/.390/.714 line over 26 games. That alone should cement his roster spot, but manager Bruce Bochy told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that Duran's most intriguing trait has been defensive versatility. In addition to 58 innings at third base and 27 at shortstop, Duran played 28.2 innings in left field. "If you look at who may have been a surprise in Spring Training, he would be right there at the top," Bochy said. "How well he's handled everything -- every position I've put him at, including shortstop and the outfield." The Rangers suddenly find themselves in need of outfield depth with Leody Taveras (oblique) expected to land on the injured list.

MARCH 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Camp surprise Duran shows valuable versatility ARLINGTON -- This spring, Ezequiel Duran could hardly have put himself in a more advantageous position to make the Rangers’ Opening Day rost...

MARCH 28, 2023 • MLB.COM

Pushes for roster spot Duran has slashed .352/.375/.704 with three home runs and 15 RBI over 24 spring games.

Impact Duran, who belted his third Cactus League home run Saturday after swatting two Thursday, is doing everything he can to make the Opening Day roster. His 10 extra-base hits lead the team. In addition to the work at the plate, the 23-year-old has appeared at second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield. A utility spot is up for grabs, and it appears Duran and Josh Smith (thumb) are the primary contenders. Smith's injury is recent -- he was scratched from Saturday's game -- but he offers better defense in the outfield, while Duran may need more reps there. The Rangers will decide whether Duran's bat is more valuable than Smith's defense.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ezequiel Duran Stars as Rangers, Athletics Tie The Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics met in prime time Thursday in Spring Training.

MARCH 24, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Ezequiel Duran: 'I'll Play Them All' To Make Rangers Opening Day roster candidate Ezequiel Duran has already played four positions this spring as he tries to find a spot with the Texas Rangers.

MARCH 15, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Rangers Spring Training Preview: Ezequiel Duran Ezequiel Duran is a highly-touted infielder who will have to make the Rangers’ 26-man roster as an outfielder or super-utility player.

FEBRUARY 5, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Rangers 40-Man Roster Wraps: Ezequiel Duran Ezequiel Duran, a middle infield prospect, made his MLB debut in June and played nearly 60 games with the Rangers in 2022.

OCTOBER 10, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

Sitting against righty Duran is not in Friday's lineup against the Twins.

Impact He will sit for the second time in the last three games. Josh Smith, who is hitting eighth against righty Dylan Bundy, may have a loose hold on the strong side of a platoon at third base.

AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Retreats to bench Duran isn't starting Wednesday against Oakland.

Impact Duran snapped an eight-game hitting streak Tuesday against the Athletics by going 0-for-3 with a walk, and he'll head to the bench for the second time in the last three matchups a day later. Josh Smith is starting at the hot corner and batting eighth.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Day off Tuesday Duran is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Astros, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Duran will get a breather after he went 4-for-11 with a homer, a double, two RBI and two runs during the team's three-game series against the White Sox. Brad Miller will take over at designated hitter and bat ninth in the series opener.

AUGUST 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hits third homer Duran went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI fielder's choice in an 8-0 win over the White Sox on Saturday.

Impact Duran showed why scouts admire the raw power in his bat by taking a hanging slider from Michael Kopech to the opposite field for his third home run of the season. The 23-year-old infielder was called-up after the All-Star break and is slashing .233/.276/.379 in 116 at-bats for the Rangers in his rookie season. Duran is worth watching down the stretch to see if the power he displayed in the minor leagues can translate into success at the major-league level.

AUGUST 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Steps out of lineup Duran is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the White Sox.

Impact Duran is 4-for-31 in his past nine contests and will head to the bench for Friday's contest. Brad Miller (neck) was activated off the injured list and will serve as Texas' designated hitter.

AUGUST 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Plates three runs Duran went 1-for-4 with a three-run double in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Angels.

Impact After striking out in each of his first three plate appearances of the day, Duran came up clutch when it mattered most. With one out in a tie game in the top of the ninth, Duran stepped to the plate and delivered a bases-clearing two-bagger to help the Rangers take three of four from the Angels. The 23-year-old rookie has started in each of Texas' last five games and looks like he could handle a near-everyday role while Brad Miller (neck) is on the injured list and while Corey Seager (lower leg) is also at risk of being deactivated.

AUGUST 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers Takeaways: Ezequiel Duran's Clutch Gene As Texas returns home from its longest road trip of the season, the rookie infielder is showing more signs that he loves those important mom...

AUGUST 1, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Rangers Takeaways: Ezequiel Duran's Clutch Gene As Texas returns home from its longest road trip of the season, the rookie infielder is showing more signs that he loves those important mom...

AUGUST 1, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

'Special talent' Duran comes up big for Texas ANAHEIM -- Ezequiel Duran stood on second base, smiling wide while doing his and Leody Taveras’ patented celebration for doubles, waving his...

AUGUST 1, 2022 • MLB.COM