Texas Rangers News: Chris Woodward drops bombshell about Odor’s roster status

Something tells me a plot twist is brewing within the Texas Rangers clubhouse.

Following the Rangers’ 12-8 win over the Chicago Cubs in the final Cactus League game of 2021, manager Chris Woodward had a rather *interesting* comment regarding the roster status of veteran infielder Rougned Odor.

Manager Chris Woodward dropped a bombshell surrounding the Texas Rangers’ roster.

Apparently, Rougned Odor is no lock for Opening Day, which is now a mere few days away.

Surprise!

The Texas Rangers have had plenty of mysteries to solve this spring, particularly as so many positions on the roster were up for grabs, as well as positions decimated by injuries that needed replacements.

More from Nolan Writin'

• Framework for a potential Max Fried trade to the Texas Rangers
• Early 2023 MLB mock draft has Texas Rangers selecting an Ohtani-lite
• 3 Texas Rangers outfield trade targets not named Bryan Reynolds
• Did Jacob deGrom really mean what he said at his Texas Rangers press conference?
• Where do Texas Rangers prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker stand after the DeGrom signing?

Odor’s status going into 2021 was already tenuous enough, as the 27-year-old was reportedly disgruntled about his status with the team and being unwilling to play other positions on the diamond for the betterment of the team while commanding one of the larger salary figures among Texas Rangers players.

It’s not as if Odor has had a great spring either, sporting a .200/.300/.700 slash line with two home runs in 35 spring training at-bats.

In fact, many were expecting Charlie Culberson or Brock Holt to start the season at the hot corner, a position which essentially just needs to be kept warm until top prospect Josh Jung is ready to debut sometime this season.

But Odor’s contract and veteran status, along with some decent defensive showings at the position as spring went along, propelled the 27-year-old into what was perceived to be his starting third base job to start 2021.

That might not be the case though.

As the skipper accurately points out, the Texas Rangers have not made any final decisions on who will fill out the remaining spots on their Opening Day roster.

It appears as though the final two exhibition games at Globe Life Field against the Milwaukee Brewers will ultimately determine Odor’s fate.

For now, we expect that Odor will make the roster, barring something unforeseen.

We’re in for a little late spring plot twist in the meantime, though.