Bruce Bochy provides Rangers injury update that could shake up Opening Day roster

This spring training has seen a lot of guys fighting for very few spots due to the fact the Texas Rangers are largely returning their 2023 World Series Championship team.

There are a lot of players who have been hitting very well, and the consensus has been that there will be some good players not make the Rangers Opening Day roster. Not because they aren't good enough to be major league players, but because the Rangers are so flush with position player talent and hitting.

The injury to Nathaniel Lowe and potential that he will miss Opening Day likely just opened up a spot for someone in camp to fill in at first base, since that wasn't thought to be a position up for grabs.

The top contender to fill in for Lowe should he not be ready for the season is Jared Walsh. The Rangers signed Walsh to minor-league deal with a spring training invite in January. Walsh had previously played for the Angels his whole career and had a strong showing during the shortened 2020 and continued used that momentum to log an All-Star campaign in 2021.

Since then, however, he has struggled. That changed after he was signed by the Rangers, presumably as a potential depth piece for a situation just like this, Walsh has flourished, hitting .412/.500/.647 with a home run so far this spring.

Another name that has Rangers fans excited in the early going is Justin Foscue. Despite a slow start, Foscue has begun to heat up in the last week of play. Foscue is hitting .348/.400/.478 overall in spring training, backing up the hitting ability he has shown in the minor leagues. Foscue is not primarily a first baseman and has typically played second base in the past. But because the Rangers are so deep across the board in the infield, he started learning the position this offseason to diversify his skills and make himself more valuable. Foscue is also a candidate for some reps at DH due to his strong bat.

There are a couple other internal options as well. Ezequiel Duran was known last season for his ability as a utility player. Duran played shortstop, third base and some outfield. It's not a stretch that he could take some reps at first base thanks to his versatility. Zeke is also having a great spring, hitting .370/.414/.481 and, like Foscue, is in the conversation for some reps at DH.

The Rangers also have a true first baseman in their minor league ranks in Blaine Crim, who could see himself in the conversation to fill in for Lowe. In addition to being a primary first baseman, Crim has also had himself a very good spring at the plate. He's hitting .333/.375/.619 with a home run so far.

Lowe has been a valuable member of the Rangers the last two seasons. He has earned both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove award since becoming the starting first baseman for the Rangers. But fortunately for the organization, there are plenty of internal options that can be plugged in and produce well if Lowe starts the season on the IL.