As the Texas Rangers approach the one-month mark of the season, a few weaknesses on the roster are becoming more noticeable. While the top portion of the batting order has been productive, the lineup lacks consistency beyond those key hitters. At the same time, the bullpen—despite some solid outings—has shown a recurring flaw that could become a bigger issue if not addressed soon. With that in mind, the organization may need to consider a few roster adjustments over the next couple of weeks to stay competitive.
One potential move involves promoting infielder Justin Foscue while parting ways with veteran outfielder Joc Pederson. Although Pederson recently hit his first home run of the season—earlier than he did last year—his overall performance has been extremely poor. Prior to that home run, he had gone hitless in 16 consecutive at-bats and faced visible frustration from fans after striking out. His batting average remains alarmingly low, sitting at just .059, following a disappointing .181 mark last season.
Given those struggles, it seems unlikely the Rangers will continue to be patient for long. If Pederson’s production does not improve soon, Foscue could be the logical replacement. Currently hitting .333 at Triple-A Round Rock, Foscue has been one of the organization’s most productive hitters and appears ready for a major league opportunity. In addition to his offensive upside, he offers defensive flexibility across multiple infield positions, which would strengthen the team’s bench. However, moving on from Pederson may not be easy financially, as finding a trade partner willing to take on his contract could prove difficult, potentially forcing Texas to absorb the cost.
Another area of concern is the bullpen, where veteran reliever Chris Martin has struggled significantly with his command. He has posted a 9.00 ERA early in the season, giving up nine hits in just four innings of work. Although his velocity remains intact, his inability to locate pitches effectively has hurt the team in critical moments, including a recent blown game in the ninth inning. Martin himself has acknowledged these issues, and if they persist, the Rangers may be forced to make a change.
One candidate to step in is Peyton Gray, who has been impressive both in spring training and at Triple-A. Despite not being on the 40-man roster, Gray has continued to prove himself, delivering strong performances at Round Rock. In three appearances, he has yet to allow an earned run, recording a save while striking out six batters and walking only one across 5.1 innings. While roster logistics initially prevented his promotion, continued struggles from Martin could open the door for Gray to earn a call-up in the near future.
The Rangers may also need to reevaluate their situation at third base. Josh Jung has gotten off to a slow start offensively, entering the Mariners series with a batting average of just .138. If his struggles continue, Texas could consider giving more playing time to Ezequiel Duran, who has shown slightly better production at the plate. Duran is hitting .231 with a home run and three RBIs, and he has already seen occasional starts in place of Jung this season.
While benching Jung wouldn’t be an ideal long-term solution, increasing Duran’s role could provide a short-term boost if the offensive gap continues. Overall, these potential moves reflect the Rangers’ need to address underperformance quickly as they look to strengthen both their lineup and pitching staff early in the season.
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