What are the Rangers' outfield options if Wyatt Langford's injury turns serious?

While all seems fine and likely will be in regards to Wyatt Langford, do the Rangers have depth to get by without him?
Texas Rangers v Los Angeles Angels
Texas Rangers v Los Angeles Angels | Katelyn Mulcahy/GettyImages

We got a week and a half into spring training without the Texas Rangers experiencing an injury to a main star. However, on the morning of the first Cactus League game, Rangers announced they have shut down Wyatt Langford for a week.

The 23-year-old suffered a mild left oblique strain after receiving an MRI upon dealing with some discomfort a few days ago and once again while taking some swings on Thursday.
Bruce Bochy ensured that the injury was mild and that it would not have any impact his availability come Opening Day.

“We don’t think this’ll impact Opening Day,” Bochy said. “But this is why you need depth. To handle bumps in the road, not just in Spring Training, but during the season. That’s why it’s critical that you have guys that can step in and be productive Major League players and soften the blow if you start losing your guys. But the timing on this couldn't have been better, really. He won’t have any problems getting the numbers he needs.”

In 2024, Langford hit .253/.325/.415 with 16 home runs and 75 RBI's while playing a majority of his games in left field. After suffering a hamstring issue early in the season he bounced back and went on a tear down the stretch that ended in his winning American League Player of the Month for September/October.

He is expected to be the team's primary left fielder heading into 2025 with the ability to slot in at the other two outfield spots as well as the occasional appearance as the team's DH.

What would be the Rangers plans if Langford has to miss more time?

If Langford will require more time to recover from the injury, it's good the Rangers shut him down earlier in spring as it will give them more time to evaluate potential replacements, if needed.

The good news is they have a solid amount of depth on the roster with Ezequiel Duran, Leody Taveras, Josh Smith and a scattering of non-roster invitee options. The first option would be a return to the late-2023 outfield of Evan Carter (LF), Leody Taveras (CF) and Adolis Garcia (RF).

Outside of that Duran and Smith will have to step up like they have done many different times in the last two seasons. Two seasons ago when Josh Jung and Corey Seager missed time, Duran filled in and had a scorching May and June's hitting over .300 with 5 home runs. Smith did similar last year, setting career highs in almost every offensive category while playing five different positions on the field.

The team also signed switch hitting Sam Haggerty to a minor league deal in early February, Haggerty started in left field for the Rangers in Friday's spring opener and recorded a hit in his only at-bat. Haggerty has been used in similar ways throughout his career playing all-around the diamond and could be a valuable option for Texas.

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