ARLINGTON -- The Rangers’ rotation improved when they acquired MacKenzie Gore on Jan. 22. There's no question about that.
But how does the addition of Gore affect the remaining pitchers who hope to compete for spots on the Opening Day roster? The 26-year-old left-hander will join a rotation, headed by co-aces Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Jack Leiter, entering his second full big league season, is likely the only other pitcher with a definitive spot in the Opening Day rotation, with Cody Bradford hoping for a mid-May return to the big league mound.
Now new manager Skip Schumaker and his staff will have to decide how to best utilize both Kumar Rocker and Jacob Latz, as well as figure out the rest of the depth chart behind them all.
“I don't think any determination has been made there yet,” said general manager Ross Fenstermaker. “We've talked a little bit about doing that analysis come Spring Training. Obviously [the Gore trade] creates a little bit more competition at the back end of the rotation, but it's not a decision that we anticipate making right now. It gives us a little bit more flexibility in terms of how we deploy the back of the rotation and different arms that we have now. It's more about the optionality of it, and we'll make that all determination come spring.”
LHP Jacob Latz
In 2025, Latz was a mainstay in the Rangers’ bullpen while also making eight spot starts throughout the season. As a starter, he posted a 2.72 ERA in 39 2/3 innings. As a reliever, he put together a 2.93 ERA in 46 innings (25 games).
It’s clear that Latz deserves a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. And he will get the opportunity to compete come spring. But it’s also fair to ask if he’s more valuable as a swingman than as the fifth starter.
Latz has said many times before, as recently as two weeks ago during the club’s Winter Warm-Up, that he wants to be a starting pitcher.
“I'll control what I can, which is going out there in spring and trying to perform and earn a spot just like I was in the years before,” Latz said. “I'll try as hard as I can. And decision-wise, I'm not in the position to make it. That'll be my mentality, anticipating to be a starter and going out there and trying to win over a job.”
RHP Kumar Rocker
Rocker’s rookie season was less than stellar for the 2022 first-rounder. The former Vanderbilt standout broke camp with the big league club, but went through tremendous mental and mechanical struggles, posting a 5.74 ERA across 64 1/3 innings.
Rocker was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 1, and shortly thereafter, he was shut down in order to refine his mechanics and work on his delivery.
“Kumar is in a really good spot,” Young said. “I think last offseason, maybe, he got away from some things that he needed to do to have success. This offseason, he's gotten back to those things. Our pitching group has been in very close and constant communication with him. We know that he's motivated and hungry and ready to come in and have a great year. We're excited about where he is and hopeful that it'll lead to great results in 2026.”
“With these young starters, as much as they learn in season, they need to learn about what offseasons need to look like and how to continue their growth and maturation,” Fenstermaker added. “We saw that a year ago with Jack, and we're looking forward to seeing what [Rocker] brings here this year.”
The depth
With right-handed pitching prospect Emiliano Teodo (No. 11 in Texas’ system, per MLB Pipeline) working primarily as a reliever this spring, the Rangers have a trio of starting pitching prospects who could contribute in the rotation this year: Jose Corniell (No. 2), Winston Santos (No. 3) and David Davalillo (No. 5).
Additionally, Texas has a pair of veterans in Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber in big league camp on Minor League deals.
“Some of it's going to be just performance-based, and who comes into camp and performs well,” Young said. “We will sort that out. These things tend to work themselves out in camp. Right now, I'd say Kumar and Jake Latz are the two primary internal options. They are both in consideration for that role, but it's going to be merit-based.”