Rangers Spring FAQ: First workout is WEDNESDAY

February 11th, 2024

This story was excerpted from Kennedi Landry’s Rangers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Rangers' repeat bid will begin like every season for the club since 2003: in Surprise, Ariz.

Texas’ roster has not undergone as much turnover as it has the previous few offseasons, but there is a renewed interest in the reigning World Series champs this spring as they gear up to defend their title.

Here’s what to know ahead of Spring Training this year:

When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers? When is the first full-squad workout?
• Pitchers and catchers: Wednesday.
• Full-squad: Feb. 19.

Where is the Rangers’ facility? Can fans attend workouts?
Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz., is the Spring Training home of both the Rangers and the Royals. The facility is about 25 miles northwest of Phoenix. The Rangers’ side of the Surprise Recreation Campus will be open for fans every day starting on Wednesday and throughout the duration of camp.

Who are some new faces fans should know?
The Rangers’ newest free agent signees are pitchers Tyler Mahle, Kirby Yates and David Robertson. Mahle is recovering from Tommy John surgery, but Yates and Robertson should be roaming the back fields from the start of spring.

Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
Outfielder Wyatt Langford, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Rangers’ No. 2 prospect, headlines a star-studded group of prospects on their way to big league camp. He’ll be joined by these notable players as non-roster invitees in big league camp (listed in alphabetical order):

• Blaine Crim, 1B
• Liam Hicks, C
• Jack Leiter, RHP, No. 5
• Abimelec Ortiz, 1B, No. 14
• Daniel Robert, RHP
• Emiliano Teodo, RHP, No. 22
• Davis Wendzel, INF
• Grant Wolfram, LHP
• Aaron Zavala, OF, No. 11

Infielder Justin Foscue (No. 6), outfielder Owen White (No. 8) outfielder/first baseman Dustin Harris (No. 10), right-hander Marc Church (No. 19), left-hander Antoine Kelly (No. 26) and right-hander Cole Winn (No. 28) are on the 40-man roster and will be in big league camp, as well.

When is the Rangers’ first Cactus League game? What are a few other notable spring games?
The Rangers open Cactus League play on Feb. 23 at 2:05 p.m. CT as the home team against the Royals at Surprise Stadium. The reigning World Series champs will face off against the NL champion Diamondbacks three times -- on Feb. 27 at Salt River Fields, March 7 at Surprise and a split-squad matchup on March 16 at Surprise.

What is Spring Breakout, and when is the Rangers’ game?
Spring Breakout is a new MLB event set on spotlighting the sport’s best prospects. Each team will put together a team of its best prospects -- regardless of age or Minor League level -- that will face off against another organization's squad in a seven-inning exhibition.

The Rangers’ prospect squad will play the Reds on March 14 at Surprise Stadium at 5:05 p.m. CT/3:05 p.m. MST. It will be a traditional doubleheader, with the big league club playing after the Spring Breakout game.

Will the team’s games be televised?
Plans for televised Cactus League games have yet to be announced, but most Cactus League games will be available on audio on 105.3 The Fan or via webcast on rangers.com.

When is the Rangers’ last game in Arizona? Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
The Rangers’ final Cactus League game is on March 23 as the road team against the Royals at Surprise Stadium. The club will then return to Arlington to face the Red Sox in two exhibition games at Globe Life Field, at 7:05 p.m. CT on March 25 and 1:05 p.m. CT on March 26.

What are the details for Opening Day?
The Rangers begin the regular season at 3:35 p.m. CT on March 28 against the Cubs at Globe Life Field.