2 Rangers with 2026 roster fate on the line as spring training comes to a close

Entering the final six games before the regular season, the Texas Rangers still have a handful of questions to answer regarding the building of which 26 players they will carry into Opening Day on March 26 in Philadelphia.

Most of the roster is decided, the rotation is practically set (except for the fifth spot) and a few players not with futures on the line are still determined the make the roster to start the season. It's these two players who have the most to lose down the stretch of spring training.

2 Rangers' players still fighting for roster spot with six spring games left

Cal Quantrill, RHP

Quantrill was a long shot to make the Rangers' roster this year after being dealt a minor league deal this winter following his release from Cleveland. What added to his slim odds was his participation in the World Baseball Classic as it took him away from the team for a week plus as Canada reached the tournament's quarterfinal round.

What hurt also helped though since the the 31-year-old lit the baseball world on fire thanks to five innings of one run ball (unearned), two hits and five strikeouts in an elimiation game during pool play on March 11. It may have been the best possible outcome for Quantrill as it heavilyimpressed Rangers' manager Skip Schumaker.

Issue he faces is that there are still three other arms auditioning for the fifth rotation spot: Jacob Latz, Kumar Rocker and Austin Gomber. All three show great promise and being a right-hander, Quantrill might miss out. He could become join as a bullpen arm but even that race is tight and one of the three other pitchers up for the fifth rotation spot will also be candidates for the rotation.

Tyler Wade, INF

A few weeks ago this would have been a crazy thought to have due to Wade's batting average nearing .600 and 1.200 OPS. Those numbers have shifted since, because of course they would, put he's still hitting .414 with a home run, two RBIs and a 1.071 OPS in 33 plate appearances.

Why is his job on the line then? Simply because of the return of Josh Jung over the weekend. Jung, 28, by all accounts is the Opening Day third baseman and the only thing to stop that from happening would be an injury.

Wade's spot as a utility and DH bench player is also in trouble thanks to the late signing and surge from veteran Andrew McCutchen, who joined the organization March 6 and has been on fire. A final bench spot now comes down to Wade, Mark Canha and Ezequiel Duran.