What we already know about the 2026 season as Rangers begin spring training games

The Texas Rangers are about to hit the field in Surprise against their spring training complex-mates Kansas City Royals this afternoon.

A lot will be decided over the course of the next 30+ games but here are a few things we already know before even a single ballgame is played in Arizona this spring.

Brandon Nimmo will hit leadoff for Rangers in 2026

Earlier this week it was pretty much confirmed that newcomer Brandon Nimmo will play right field alongside Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford in the Rangers' outfield. He is also set to hit leadoff, a role that Marcus Semien held for most of the previous four seasons.

Leading off for Nimmo isn't new to him but right field is a spot he's played the least amount in his big league career. It won't be a crazy battle for him but look for him to get most, if not all, his spring reps in right field.

Closer battle is a lot less crowded than we thought

This offseason, the Rangers were victims of yet another rebuild losing multiple key arms that helped the pitching staff become one of the best in baseball. There were massive questions about who would be the closer and while that's still to be decided, the list is shorter.

Among the early spring news, new manager Skip Schumaker said the closer battle is mostly down to two names: Robert Garcia and Chris Martin. The latter is 39 and about to enter his 11th big league season while Garcia is a decade younger and is four season into his career. Newly acquired Alexis Diaz, who has the most saves of the three, is also a contender but needs to earn it.

Rangers' clubhouse culture is top of mind

Another top of mind notion from Schumaker as the full squad reported to camp earlier this week was clubhouse culture. While he couldn't comment on the previous season's culture, having not been present, he knows it wasn't what it used to be during their 2023 World Series championship year.

Looking for "competitors over complainers," Schumaker is hoping to make an immediate impact and transition from the era of Bruce Bochy to this new journey with him in charge.