The excitement surrounding the World Champion Texas Rangers is at an all-time high ahead of the 2024 season. The Rangers won the first World Series in franchise history and are looking to become the first team since the 2000 New York Yankees to repeat as champions.
Just outside of Phoenix, the Rangers are readying for the upcoming season at Surprise Stadium with a number of players in camp this spring. But teams can't take their entire cadre of players to Arlington on Opening Day, so Rangers fans will see a number of cuts between now and March 28th.
Of course, players like Evan Carter, Marcus Semien, and Corey Seager are a lock to be part of the Rangers Opening Day roster. On the pitching side, you can bet that Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray will be part of the Texas starting rotation. But a number of prospects and non-roster free agents are clinging to a spot this spring and are hopeful that their efforts are rewarded.
Texas Rangers spring training roster cut tracker: Who will make Opening Day roster?
The Rangers 40-man roster is full, but not everyone will break camp with the big league club. Major league teams are limited to just 26 players on the active roster, and only 13 can be pitchers. Speaking of which, Texas will see three of their top starters begin the season on the 60-day IL. Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle, and Max Scherzer are not expected back on the field until later this summer.
Their absence will open up a few spots on the Rangers 40-man roster and allow for some highly-rated prospects to make their major league dreams come true, while a few journeymen are hoping to keep theirs alive.
Rangers option Dustin Harris to the minors - 3/5
The Texas Rangers obviously feel that Dustin Harris isn't quite ready for The Show. The hard-hitting outfielder was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on March 5th. Catchers Liam Hicks and Matt Whatley were reassigned to minor league camp along with Abimelec Ortiz, and OF Aaron Zavala.
Stay up to date with all the latests trades, releases, reassignments, and other transactions in Surprise as the Rangers look to defend their World Series title. The Rangers open the 2024 season at home against the Chicago Cubs on March 28th.