MARCH 15 • MLB.COM
Eovaldi gets nod as Rangers' Opening Day starter SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Who starts on Opening Day when you have two aces? It was a fairly easy decision for Rangers manager Skip Schumaker. Schum...
Justin Foscue - Back in spring lineup Foscue (hamstring) will serve as the Rangers' designated hitter and No. 7 batter in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers.
Impact Foscue will check back into the Rangers' spring lineup for the first time since Feb. 23, after a strained right hamstring had kept him out of action for just under three weeks. The 27-year-old will still need to prove that the hamstring injury doesn't present any problems for him defensively in order to win a utility gig on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, but he could still find himself on the outside looking in for a spot. Foscue has a minor-league option remaining, so the Rangers could send him to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the season in order for him to receive everyday at-bats.
MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE
Alexis Díaz - Clears waivers The Rangers outrighted Diaz to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.
Impact After signing a one-year deal with Texas in December, Diaz entered spring training with a chance to stake his claim to the closer's job in an unsettled Rangers bullpen. Diaz's lack of command during spring training ultimately resulted in him not only falling short in his bid for a high-leverage role, but it also cost him his spot on the 40-man roster. He'll remain in the Texas organization after drawing no interest on the waiver wire upon yielding eight earned runs on three hits and four walks over 1.2 innings in the Cactus League.
MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE
Jonah Bride - Falls short of Opening Day roster The Rangers reassigned Bride to minor-league camp Sunday.
Impact Bride had been competing for a utility spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster but didn't help his case by slashing an underwhelming .226/.368/.290 over 38 plate appearances. The 30-year-old infielder is likely to begin the campaign at Triple-A Round Rock.
MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE
Jose Corniell - Bound for Double-A The Rangers optioned Corniell (triceps/back) to Double-A Frisco on Sunday.
Impact Though he was able to make his big-league debut late last season, Corniell will end up dropping back down to the Double-A level to begin the 2026 campaign after back and triceps injuries prevented him from gaining much momentum this spring in his bid for a spot in the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen. Corniell at least appears to be heading into the season healthy; he made his Cactus League debut Friday, issuing one walk and allowing no hits over a scoreless inning of relief.
MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE
Willie MacIver - Misses out on Opening Day roster The Rangers optioned MacIver to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.
Impact Texas looks set to head into Opening Day with Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka (back) as its two backstops, but MacIver should be first in line for a call-up if the Rangers require another catcher at any point. The 29-year-old made his big-league debut last season for the Athletics, slashing .186/.252/.324 with three home runs and three stolen bases over 111 plate appearances.
MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE
Nathan Eovaldi - Named Opening Day starter The Rangers announced Sunday that Eovaldi will start Opening Day against the Phillies on March 26.
Impact The veteran right-hander is getting his third straight Opening Day nod for the Rangers, though he may more realistically be considered the club's No. 2 pitcher behind Jacob deGrom. Eovaldi was limited to 22 starts last season due to shoulder issues, but he was dominant when available with a 1.73 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 129:21 K:BB across 130 innings.
MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE
