After back-to-back disappointing seasons, the Texas Rangers are entering 2026 with heightened urgency to turn things around. Offensive struggles played a major role in the team’s recent shortcomings, prompting the front office to make several roster adjustments during the offseason. While these moves were designed to improve performance, not every player is guaranteed job security. As the season begins, a few individuals find themselves under pressure to deliver early results or risk losing their place on the roster by the end of May.
Among those facing uncertainty are three players whose recent performances have raised concerns. Each of them will need a strong start to the season to avoid being cut as the team evaluates its options moving forward.
Jalen Beeks (LHP)
Jalen Beeks, a recent addition to the Rangers’ bullpen, is one of the players whose position could become vulnerable. Signed late in spring training, Beeks adds left-handed depth to the pitching staff—an asset that teams typically value highly. However, Texas already has multiple left-handed relievers, including Tyler Alexander and Jacob Latz, which could make Beeks expendable if roster decisions become tight.
The 32-year-old spent the 2025 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, posting a respectable 3.77 ERA across 61 appearances. He also had a solid start with Texas, delivering 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his first outing of the season. Despite that, his status remains less secure compared to other bullpen options, making him a potential candidate for release if the team needs to make adjustments.
Ezequiel Duran (Utility)
Ezequiel Duran is another player under scrutiny, despite an encouraging spring training performance. He impressed with a .283 batting average, several home runs, and 10 RBIs, which helped him earn a spot on the Opening Day roster and gain the confidence of manager Skip Schumaker.
However, Duran’s track record over the past two seasons raises doubts about his consistency. The 26-year-old utility player struggled significantly in 2025, even going more than 200 regular-season at-bats without hitting a single home run—an alarming statistic for someone expected to contribute offensively.
Acquired from the New York Yankees in the 2021 Joey Gallo trade, Duran once showed promise, particularly during the first half of the 2023 season. Still, his inability to maintain that level of performance has left fans and the organization cautious. While his spring resurgence is a positive sign, he will need to prove it can carry over into the regular season to secure his future with the team.
Joc Pederson (DH/1B)
Perhaps the most concerning situation involves veteran Joc Pederson. Now entering his second year in Texas, Pederson’s tenure with the Rangers has largely been viewed as underwhelming. His offensive production has fallen far below expectations, highlighted by a .181 batting average in 2025 and an even lower .175 average during spring training in 2026.
Frustration among fans has grown, especially considering his significant salary and limited contributions. While there have been occasional bright moments—such as a rare opposite-field home run in a recent exhibition game—they have been too few to outweigh his overall struggles.
At 33 years old, Pederson faces immense pressure to perform. Without a dramatic turnaround in the early months of the 2026 season, his time with the Rangers could come to an abrupt end.
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