ARLINGTON -- The 2025 Rangers put together one of the best rotations in franchise history, with an MLB-best 3.41 ERA.
With former pitching coach Mike Maddux's departure to the Angels, familiar faces Jordan Tiegs and Dave Bush, as well as newcomer Colby Suggs will be charged with trying to make it happen once again.
“Our players were really impacted in a positive way through Jordan,” new manager Skip Schumaker said. “I thought Mike honesty was really good for Jordan. I think Mike was huge in his development. … Luckily we’ve got Jordan and Dave Bush. They were a huge part of that pitching department last year. Colby Suggs, I identified right away. I think he's a needle-mover. He's young, he's innovative, but he also pitched at a high level in college, and was very successful in the bullpens in Minnesota. A fantastic hire. I'm very grateful for that one.”
So how do the Rangers do it all again?
Health at the top
Always easier said than done.
In 2026, the rotation will continue to be anchored by Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, with Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker -- entering their second full seasons -- slotting in the middle of the pack. Every one of them except deGrom spent time on the injured list in 2025.
Additionally, Cody Bradford didn’t pitch in 2025 due to a left elbow injury that arose in Spring Training and ultimately led to UCL surgery, though he should return by the summer.
The outlook is optimistic, though.
Even though deGrom and Eovaldi are both well into their 30s, Eovaldi was one of the best pitchers in the sport when healthy in 2025, posting a 1.73 ERA in 22 starts with 129 K's over 130 innings. deGrom had a 2.97 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP en route to winning AL Comeback Player of the Year coming off his second Tommy John surgery.
Pitching injuries are going to happen to every team, but if the Rangers’ core guys can deliver their normal production, it will go a long way toward repeating 2025's success.
Add quality innings-eaters
With Patrick Corbin, Tyler Mahle and Jon Gray all hitting free agency, the Rangers will have to find a way to round out the rotational depth.
Starting pitching is expensive, and Texas isn't likely to shop at the top of the market, which includes Dylan Cease (4.55 ERA in 2025), Framber Valdez (3.66 ERA) and Ranger Suárez (3.20 ERA), but a Corbin-type of signing could go a long way.
In 2025, the Rangers brought in Corbin on a one-year deal. He threw 155 1/3 innings and was more than serviceable at the back end of the rotation for much of the year.
The front office will have to find middle-of-the-rotation arms on the open market that can give the Rangers that type of production for a lower price tag than the Dylan Ceases and Framber Valdezes of the world.
An internal surprise
Is Jacob Latz still considered a surprise?
In 2025, Latz -- who came up in the Minors as a starter, but he has become a major part of the big league bullpen -- posted a 2.72 ERA in eight starts (39 2/3 innings) and a 2.93 ERA across 25 relief appearances (46 innings). He already forced the new coaching staff to have to make a decision on the best way to use him in '26.
Waiver claims and non-roster invitees could also lead to potential pieces. Over the past few years, the front office has become adept at winning on the margins and getting contributions from unexpected places.
That could ultimately be the key to important innings in 2026.