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Alexander earned the save in Monday's 5-2 win over the Orioles, tossing a clean ninth inning while striking out two.
The 31-year-old has converted both of the chances he's had for saves early on in the season. Both Robert Garcia and Chris Martin had pitched two days in a row entering Monday, so Alexander was called upon to record the last three outs in the ninth and was razor sharp, striking out two batters in a three up, three down ninth. The Rangers' closer situation was unsettled coming into the season, and while Alexander's usage so far suggests he's third in the pecking order for high-leverage usage, continued success when he's called upon could change the equation.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Shine in season debut
Rotowire
Leiter (1-0) earned the victory Monday against the Orioles, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings of work.
It was an impressive 2026 debut for Leiter, holding the Orioles to just two runs. The 25-year-old also fanned eight batters, a number he hit only three times all of last season. More starts like that will allow Leiter to capitalize on his big upside and build on the 2025 season that he finished 10-10 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 151.2 innings pitched.
The Rangers Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com Blanco to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday, mmm reports.
He passed through waivers unclaimed after being removed from the 40-man roster last week. Blanco could decline the assignment since he's been outrighted previously, but it appears he plans to stick around in the organization as outfield depth.
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Rangers' Ryan Brasier: Back with Texas on MiLB deal
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Brasier re-signed Friday with the Rangers on a minor-league contract.
Texas had previously released Brasier on March 21 after he failed to secure a spot in the club's Opening Day roster, but after assessing his options as a free agent, he ultimately chose to stick around in the organization on another minor-league pact. The 38-year-old righty reported to Triple-A Round Rock and debuted for the affiliate Sunday, striking out one batter over 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Contributes to win
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Duran started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Phillies.
Duran entered the starting nine for the first time this season, replacing Josh Smith at second base against Philadelphia lefty Jesus Luzardo. There's been no indication Duran and Smith are in a strict platoon -- Smith started Opening Day against a lefty -- and Sunday's start could merely be manager Skip Schumaker keeping his bench players involved.
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Rangers' Sam Haggerty: Steps in against lefty
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Haggerty started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a run scored in Sunday's 8-3 win over Philadelphia.
Haggerty, who replaced Evan Carter against a lefty, singled and scored in the third inning. The former occupies the short end of a platoon, as Carter has struggled against southpaws. The switch-hitting Haggerty, who is better against lefties than righties, was eventually removed when a right-handed reliever entered the contest. In a minor role for the Rangers in 2025, Haggerty stole 12 bases in 64 games, the third time in the previous four seasons he's reached double-digit steals in a part-time role.
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Rangers' Brandon Nimmo: Logs first HR as Ranger
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Nimmo went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Phillies.
Nimmo gave Texas a lead it would never relinquish with a two-run home run in the third inning, his first in a Rangers' uniform. He was one of three new employees that contributed to the win along with Andrew McCutchen (HR, three RBI) and winning pitcher MacKenzie Gore (two runs, seven Ks, 5.1 innings). The early returns are positive for Nimmo, who also contributed to Saturday's win and went 4-for-12 out of the leadoff spot in winning two of three on the road against Philadelphia.
Alexander earned a save after tossing one inning, allowing an unearned run on one hit and a hit-by-pitch while striking out a batter in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Phillies.
Alexander was the next man up after Texas turned to Robert Garcia and Chris Martin in the ninth inning. Alexander hit Otto Kemp with an 84.8-mph cutter to open the frame before later surrendering a two-out single to Bryce Harper, which drove in the automatic runner from second base. The southpaw was then able to settle in and strand Kemp at third base to end the game by getting Alec Bohm to pop up for the final out. Alexander isn't necessarily in the mix quite yet for the closer's role, but he is the first Ranger to notch a save in 2026.
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Rangers' Andrew McCutchen: Homers in Rangers win
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McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, a double and an additional run scored in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Phillies.
Making his second start this season, McCutchen extended Texas' lead to 5-0 with a three-run blast off left Jesus Luzardo, his first home run this season. The 39-year-old McCutchen is expected to fill the short side of a platoon with Joc Pederson at DH after making the team out of spring training as a non-roster invitee. Through three games, McCutchen is 4-for-9 with four RBI.
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Rangers' MacKenzie Gore: Earns win in Rangers debut
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Gore (1-0) earned the win Sunday over the Phillies, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.
It was an impressive debut for Gore, who held the Phillies hitless through his first five innings before he was charged with a pair of runs in the sixth after allowing two singles and a walk. Despite the rocky finish, it was an encouraging showing from the left-hander, who posted a 4.17 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 185:64 K:BB across 30 starts (159.2 innings) in an up-and-down 2025 campaign with the Nationals. Gore is tentatively lined up to face the Reds at home in his next outing.
Carter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
Though manager Skip Schumaker left the door open in spring training for Carter to see more opportunities versus southpaws in 2026, the outfielder has now been held out of the lineup for the Rangers' first two matchups against lefties. Wyatt Langford will slide over from left field to cover center field against Jesus Luzardo.
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Rangers' Josh Smith: Idle against southpaw
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Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
Smith served as a super-utility player in 2025, but he'll have a more permanent home at second base this season after the Rangers traded Marcus Semien to the Mets over the winter. The left-handed-hitting Smith will still be shielded from southpaws after he produced a lowly 47 wRC+ in 121 plate appearances in that split last year. Ezequiel Duran will get the nod at second base Sunday while southpaw Jesus Luzardo toes the rubber.
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Rangers' Danny Jansen: Sitting Sunday
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Jansen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
Jansen drew starts in the first two contests of the season, but he'll get a chance to catch his breath while Texas closes out its series in Philadelphia with a day game. Though Kyle Higashioka will receive the nod at catcher Sunday, Jansen looks to be the preferred option behind the plate.
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Rangers' Jacob deGrom: Improving but iffy for next start
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DeGrom said Sunday that his stiff neck is feeling "much better" and he remains optimistic he'll be able to make his first start of the season Tuesday or Wednesday in Baltimore, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
The veteran righty had been scheduled to start Saturday's game in Philadelphia, but he ended up being scratched just hours before the contest after his neck acted up. DeGrom seems to have responded well to the extra rest and he was able to play catch out to 120 feet Sunday. The Rangers may want to see deGrom complete a bullpen session Monday before clearing him to make his 2026 debut.
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Rangers' Joc Pederson: In lineup against righty
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Pederson served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-1 with a walk in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning win over Philadelphia.
Pederson, who was held out of the first game of the series with left-hander Cristopher Sanchez on the mound, got the start against righty Aaron Nola. As soon as lefty reliever Tanner Banks entered the contest, Texas manager Skip Schumaker sent Andrew McCutchen out to pinch hit for Pederson. It looks like DH will be strict platoon between the two.
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Rangers' Brandon Nimmo: Productive in win
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Nimmo went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Phillies.
The former Met singled and stole a base before scoring on a Jake Burger home run in the third inning. Nimmo then scored as the automatic runner in the 10th on a Wyatt Langford single. Nimmo is batting leadoff for Texas -- a job once held by Marcus Semien, the player he was traded for -- and that role gives him an excellent chance to steal double-digit bags for a third straight season.
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