Texas Rangers finalize 2026 Opening Day roster

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers have finalized their 26-man roster ahead of their season-opening game.

Texas Rangers 2026 Opening Day roster revealed

What we know:

The team will carry 13 pitchers, two catchers, seven infielders and five outfielders to begin the 2026 season.

Pitchers

• Tyler Alexander, LHP
• Carter Baumler, RHP
• Jalen Beeks, LHP
• Jacob deGrom, RHP
• Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
• Robert Garcia, LHP
• MacKenzie Gore, LHP
• Jakob Junis, RHP
• Jacob Latz, LHP
• Jack Leiter, RHP
• Chris Martin, RHP
• Kumar Rocker, RHP
• Cole Winn, RHP

The Rangers announced last week that Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom and MacKenzie Gore will start their first, second and third games of the season. Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker will fill out the rest of the team’s rotation.

Gore was the team's big offseason pitching acquisition, having been acquired from the Washington Nationals for five prospects in January.

Carter Baumler was informed he made the Opening Day roster while he was on the mound in an exhibition game earlier this week. He was a Rule 5 draft selection from the Orioles, meaning the Rangers must keep him on the active roster to keep his rights.

Martin, Garcia, Winn and Latz all return to the team’s bullpen from last season. Latz can start games in a pinch.

Alexander and Beeks, as well as the aforementioned Baumler, come from outside the organization, aiming to help a unit that had plenty of struggles improve this season.

Catchers

• Kyle Higashioka
• Danny Jansen

Higashioka returns as the primary catcher, having served as the team’s backup catcher in 2025. Former starting catcher Jonah Heim was released by the Rangers in Nov. 2025 and his now with the Atlanta Braves.

Danny Jansen was signed by the Rangers during the offseason. He brings eight years of Major League experience with Toronto, Boston, Tampa Bay and Milwaukee.

Infielders

• Jake Burger
• Ezequiel Duran
• Josh Jung
• Joc Pederson
• Corey Seager
• Josh Smith

If these names sound familiar, it’s because, well, they are. All saw significant time with the Rangers last year.

Seager has been the Rangers’ best hitter since signing with the team in 2021. He’ll continue to play shortstop and anchor the lineup in his fifth season in Texas.

Jung, Burger and Pederson are hoping for bounce-back seasons in 2026. All suffered injuries that hampered their performance.

Smith will likely replace the departed Marcus Semien as the Rangers’ everyday second baseman. 

Outfielders

• Evan Carter,
• Sam Haggerty
• Wyatt Langford
• Andrew McCutchen
• Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo is the new face here, having been acquired from the Mets in the Marcus Semien trade. He’ll man right field and bat at the top of the Rangers’ lineup most games.

Many expect Langford to have a breakout season in 2026 based on his growth through the first two seasons of his career.

Evan Carter looks to prove he’s an everyday player after scuffling through injuries and struggles against left-handed pitchers in the years since the Rangers won the World Series.

Andrew McCutchen is a former National League MVP back in 2013 with Pittsburgh. He made the roster after signing with the team midway through Spring Training.

Haggerty will be the team’s utility outfielder, capable of playing all three positions. Infielders Smith and Duran can also play the outfield if needed.

What's next:

The Rangers will open their 2026 season against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizen's Bank Park on March 26 at 3:35 p.m., the first of three games against the Phillies.