3 question marks for the Rangers with a week left in spring training

Don't look now, but the Rangers' season opener against the Phillies is just a few days away, and there are still a handful of questions as the 2026 team starts to take shape.

There is still some uncertainty surrounding a proven veteran; a utility outfielder slot is still up for grabs, and the closer situation could also be addressed before the first pitch is thrown on March 26.

So let's take a look at what fans and manager Skip Schumaker will be looking at in the last week of games in Arizona.

3 question marks for the Rangers with a week left in spring training

Do the Rangers have a Joc Pederson problem brewing again at DH?

We're not going to rehash just what a disaster 2025 was for prized free agent signing Joc Pederson, but there is cause for concern that fans could be in for more of the same in 2026.

Thus far, his spring training has been among the worst of any projected everyday players, even as he showed up to Surprise in noticeably better shape than last year.

Pederson is hitting .172 (5-29), and his slash line of .172/.314/.172 is alarming when you consider that he has yet to register an extra-base hit and has struck out 10 times against opposing teams' second-tier pitchers.

The veteran DH could have allayed any fears that a repeat of his 2025 start was coming by having a solid spring session, but that has not happened, and there is cause for concern as the lefty will turn 34 in April.

He could make Schumaker and the fanbase feel a lot better about his hold on the DH spot if he could put together a solid final week.

Will it be Mark Canha or Andrew McCutchen to grab hold of the final OF slot?

Depending on how Pederson responds, the battle for the final outfield spot between veterans Andrew McCutchen and Mark Canha could have a far greater impact than anyone expected just ten days ago.

That is because whoever does end up making the major league roster is likely to see a lot of a-bats platooning as the right-handed bat at DH against left-handers.

McCutchen is a former MVP, but Canha has had a more productive spring, hitting .324 over 34 at-bats, including two home runs and an .843 OPS. Canha is also two years younger than McCutchen.

It will be worth monitoring if the club goes with the hot bat of Canha over the borderline Hall of Fame resume of a former all-star like McCutchen as the session winds down. Whoever gets more playing time will likely get the nod.

Will Schumaker tip his hand on the closer role in the final week of games?

So far, the new head coach has been holding his cards very close to the vest regarding who he will roll out in the ninth should an opportunity arise in Philadelphia to start the season.

Both Robert Garcia and Chris Martin have been better recently, but they have been pitching in very low-stress spring game middle relief.

The pressure will be amped up once the games count, and it sure would be nice to see if it is indeed Garcia who has the inside track by letting him have an opportunity in the last week that is similar to the high-leverage situations he will eventually see.