Texas Rangers News: Brutal honesty, Little Rascal's big award, more

"That was the main focus," Friday night's Texas Rangers starter Tyler Mahle said after the game. "Or, is the main focus."

Mahle was talking about why he chose to come back from injury less than 10 days from the end of the regular season. The "main focus" was trying to get the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. After a 6-4 loss to the Florida Marlins in 12 innings, it looks like the season is over, even if Mahle and his mates aren't officially eliminated.

The Texas Rangers entered the week just two games back of a playoff spot. They've now lost five straight. And Mahle's self-correction indicates even the players realize they didn't do enough. Now sitting five games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West and the last Wild Card spot with eight games to play, it's time to recognize the unfortunate reality.

Texas Rangers 'Little Rascal' takes home big award

Even if everything didn't go the way the Rangers hoped it would, there are still some players who absolutely deserve accolades. Utility man Cody Freeman led the charge more than once as Texas got back into the playoff race.

He also had a heck of a season in the team's minor leagues. This week, Freeman was awarded the club's Tom Grieve Award. The honor is bestowed on the best overall minor league season, and Freeman's .336 average with 19 home runs with Round Rock certainly deserves it.

Kumar Rocker returns to the mound after a six-week reset

Earlier this week, Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker threw his first live action since August 7. In the outing for Triple-A Round Rock, Rocker threw 2.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits and a walk.

The return follows a long developmental phase in which the 25-year-old focused exclusively on bullpen sessions to refine his release point and sharpen his fastball angle. The right-handed pitcher's 2025 campaign has been marked by inconsistency, as he continues working to translate his tools into sustained results. So far, he holds a 4-5 record with a 5.74 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 14 appearances for the Texas Rangers in the 2025 season. He could return for one more Big League start before the campaign is over.