Rangers 2026 roster projections 3.0: Final roster guess before Opening Day in Philly

Opening Day is now less than one week away and as the Texas Rangers get their final spring tune up games in, the coaches and manager Skip Schumaker are taking deep dives into how to effectively set up the roster to get them back to the postseason.

Projecting the Rangers' 2026 Opening Day roster

Here's a final guess from us on what to expect when the team takes the field at Citizens Bank Park on March 26.

Rangers Opening Day Position Players

• Catchers: Kyle Higashioka, Danny Jansen

• First Base: Jake Burger

• Second Base: Josh Smith

• Shortstop: Corey Seager

• Third Base: Josh Jung

• Outfielders: Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter, Brandon Nimmo

• Designated Hitter: Andrew McCutchen, Joc Pederson

• Bench: Ezequiel Duran, Sam Haggerty, Tyler Wade

No changes here. There might have been if Jung was not ready to go by Opening Day but the third baseman returned to the lineup this week and has gone 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, six total bases and a triple. As for the DH, McCutchen currently has the edge over Pederson and Wade/Duran will get a bench role due to Cody Freeman's back injury.

Rangers Opening Day Rotation

• Jacob deGrom, RHP

• Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

• MacKenzie Gore, LHP

• Jack Leiter, RHP

• Kumar Rocker, RHP

Biggest change here is the final rotation spot going to Rocker instead of the lefty Jacob Latz. After another strong start on Wednesday against Kansas City, the former Vanderbilt draftee brought his spring numbers to 1-1, 4.26 ERA, 14 walks and three strikeouts in 12 innings. Choosing between Latz and Rocker wasn't easy but the power Rocker has over Latz is what will lead Skip Schumaker to choose the 26-year-old righty.

Rangers Opening Day Bullpen

• Tyler Alexander, LHP

• Carter Baulmer, RHP

• Jalen Beeks, LHP

• Robert Garcia, LHP (closer)

• Jacob Latz, LHP

• Chris Martin, RHP

• Cole Winn, RHP

The most notable change from our 2.0 roster projection is Latz moving into the pen in favor of Rocker in the rotation. It also indicates the recent signing of lefty Jalen Beeks taking the bullpen spot from Alexis Diaz, who was DFAd then outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock. Beeks, 32, spent last year with Arizona and made his spring debut on Wednesday throwing one scoreless innings.