Rangers' young flamethrower could have key role in 2026 despite minor-league option

Texas Rangers option Marc Church, Justin Foscue to Triple-A Round Rock

The Texas Rangers announced on Monday that they optioned right-handed reliever Marc Church and infielder Justin Foscue to Triple-A Round Rock.

Foscue, 27, missed three weeks of spring training because of a muscle strain. Even if he hadn't been injured, it seemed unlikely he'd make the Opening Day roster, with Ezequiel Durán, Sam Haggerty and Tyler Wade presumably higher in the pecking order. Foscue should still be in the big leagues at some point in 2026, barring a serious injury.

As for Church, the 24-year-old righty should also be in the big leagues later in the season. Texas just wants to begin the season with more experienced pitchers in its bullpen. Injuries and regression are inevitable, which would clear a spot for Church, who ranked among the Rangers' top-30 prospects from 2023 to 2025 per MLB Pipeline.

Another big reason Church will begin the 2026 season with Triple-A Round Rock is that he's coming off an injury-riddled 2025 season and strained a muscle in his back early in spring training. He returned to the mound on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing one run on two hits with one strikeout in one inning.

Given his recent stretch of injuries, Church starting the season in Triple-A makes sense for all parties involved. Once he gets back into a routine, he should be ready to return to the majors.

Marc Church could play big role for Rangers bullpen in 2026

Church throws just three pitches, but all of them are nasty. His best pitch is a mid-80s slider "with two-plane depth at its best". He also throws a fastball that averages 96 mph and can reach 99 mph. His third pitch is a 89-93 mph splitter that he doesn't throw nearly as often as his fastball and slider. Once Church is ready to return to the big leagues, the righty has the potential to be among the best relievers in the game.

Church has only had a cup of coffee in the big leagues. The 2019 draft pick made his MLB debut in 2024, throwing a scoreless inning against the Los Angeles Angels in late September. He returned to the majors in 2025, surrendering two earned runs on four hits and six walks with five strikeouts across 4 2/3 innings in late March and early April.