Rangers Roster: Latest updates provide clearer picture of 2025 Opening Day roster

It was a busy weekend for the Texas Rangers as they closed out yet another Cactus League spring training on Saturday and headed to Arlington to prepare for the upcoming season on Thursday.

The Rangers also spent the weekend making a flurry of moves, mixed with online speculation which is providing fans a better idea of what the Opening Day roster will be. Included are some that are less surprising and a few that took social media by shock.

Here's a rundown of the moves over the last few days:

Sunday, March 23

News circulates online that team placed RHP Dane Dunning on waivers

Sunday morning New York Post baseball columnist Joel Sherman shared on X that the team had placed right-handed pitcher Dane Dunning on outright waivers, making him available for any team. If he isn't claim, Texas can decide to send him to the minors.

Dunning, 30, is two years removed from the best season of his career in 2023 but only year removed from the worst of his career. After beginning the spring with a six scoreless innings, it all blew up for Dunning, surrendering 10 runs in his last seven innings. Dunning will likely appeal to a few teams given his $2.66 million price tag but it is also a big risk for a guy that hasn't shown much success lately.

The move to put him on waivers opens up the final few spots in the bullpen and rotation for a group consisting of Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker and Patrick Murphy.

Saturday, March 22

The fate of Evan Carter is in limbo after big revelation from Rangers' front office

It was something that fans thought quietly would be a possibility but never thought the team would actually do it. The team still hasn't officially made the move but President of Baseball Operations Chris Young told reporters that Carter's Opening Day spot isn't guaranteed.

The 22-year-old only played 45 games last year after suffering from a pretty serious back injury. He came into spring physically in no pain but it obviously affected him. In 38 at-bats he struggled, hitting just .158 and striking out 14 times.

Add that to his struggles against left-handed pitching and an over .300 average from veteran Kevin Pillar against lefties last year, Carter seems to be the odd one out for the time being. It's not necessarily a bad thing that Carter would start his year in Triple-A, he's still very young and the opportunity can give him time to get back to form with very little pressure.

If that news becomes reality, the Rangers will likely enter the season with five outfielders: Pillar, Wyatt Langford, Leody Taveras, Adolis Garcia and super-utilityman Josh Smith.

Rangers informed a dozen players they will not be making the roster, including a few surprises

On Saturday afternoon, Dallas Morning News' reporter Evan Grant shared on X that the team informed a dozen players that they will not be making the team.

Among the names included are: David Buchanan, JT Chargois, Hunter Strickland, Adrian Houser, Joe Barlow, Matt Festa, Alan Trejo, Alejandro Osuna, Dustin Harris, Tucker Barnhart, Nick Ahmed and Chad Wallach.

As of Sunday evening, Ahmed was officially granted his release while Harris, Osuna and Trejo were assigned to Round Rock, and Strickland was released and re-signed within 24 hours. The exact status of the remaining players is unknown, either they were released or assigned to the minors.

These moves make some roster construction clearer, mostly related to the pitching staff as Patrick Murphy and Marc Church remain in contention for a bullpen role.

Friday, March 21

Rangers option final set of minor leaguers, grant veteran relievers their release (kinda)

The team announced on Friday morning a few official roster moves, optioning outfielders Dustin Harris and Alejandro Osuna to Round Rock and released relievers Jesse Chavez and Hunter Strickland.

It was sort of a given that the team would end up releasing Chavez and Strickland, who didn't really impress this spring on minor league non-roster invites. Strickland, who was signed on March 12 and only pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs. However, on Saturday, the team re-signed Strickland to a minor league deal and assigned him to Round Rock.

On the other hand, Chavez pitched 8 2/3 innings, compiling a 8.31 ERA and an opponent batting average of .371. Then like clockwork, the 41-year-old veteran reunited with the Atlanta Braves for the fourth time in his career and will start 2025 in Triple-A.