This article digs into how the Texas Rangers are shaking up their rotation for the upcoming season. They’re chasing a tough top three with MacKenzie Gore joining Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi.
The team’s also mapping out the competition for that tricky No. 5 starter spot. Internal options like Kumar Rocker and Jacob Latz are about to face off against a handful of veteran arms as spring training approaches.
New-look Rangers rotation takes shape
The Rangers have stacked the top of their rotation by adding lefty MacKenzie Gore. He’ll join the ace, Jacob deGrom, and the steady Nathan Eovaldi.
That trio gives Texas a strong foundation. Jack Leiter looks like the favorite for the No. 4 starter job after a solid first full season in the big leagues.
Now, the challenge is replacing the innings lost to free agency. Patrick Corbin, Tyler Mahle, and Merrill Kelly all left, so the No. 5 spot is wide open and spring training is full of questions.
Top of the rotation: Gore, deGrom, and Eovaldi
MacKenzie Gore brings a lot of upside as the left-handed anchor of the staff. Texas gets a blend of velocity and projection from him, adding to a group already led by Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi.
Gore’s arrival sets up a possible three-headed monster at the top of the rotation. DeGrom’s trying to bounce back from injuries, Eovaldi’s the steady veteran, and Gore injects some youth into the mix.
Jack Leiter seems set for the No. 4 slot after a decent rookie season. The real question is what Texas will do with the No. 5 spot, since the depth chart could shift depending on how guys look in spring and who stays healthy.
Leiter’s path to No. 4 and the fifth-starter picture
The Rangers have a classic spring dilemma: balance a confident young arm with veterans who can chew up innings. Leiter’s path shows he’s earned a shot at the No. 4 role.
Texas still has to weigh the risks of giving a young pitcher a long leash in a high-stakes spot. That uncertainty spills over into the No. 5 competition, where internal candidates and veterans will battle for the last rotation job.
Fifth-starter competition and internal candidates
Texas has to figure out who grabs that final rotation spot. There are a few options beyond Leiter.
Kumar Rocker stands out as the internal candidate with the most pedigree. He was the third overall pick in 2022, but his MLB time has been up and down, including a stint on the shoulder IL.
In 2025, Rocker put up a 4.67 ERA in limited action. His peripherals (4.14 xFIP, 4.34 SIERA) suggest there might be more under the hood.
He went back to Triple-A in August, but he’ll get a real shot at the fifth spot this spring.
Jacob Latz emerged as a versatile option, making eight starts and 25 relief appearances with a 2.84 ERA over 85 2/3 innings. His three-pitch mix and solid fastball hint he could handle a rotation job if the team needs innings.
Still, his underlying stats make you wonder if he’s ready for a full-time starter role just yet. Latz is a solid safety net if Rocker doesn’t grab the job.
Depth options and veteran contingency plans
The Rangers grabbed Cal Quantrill, Austin Gomber, and Nabil Crismatt on minor-league deals to shore up their depth and provide some emergency insurance. These three bring a mix of veteran know-how and versatility—though, honestly, their 2025 numbers were all over the place.
Quantrill had a rough year with a high ERA in 26 starts. Gomber didn’t fare much better and got released after a tough stretch. Crismatt bounced between good and not-so-good outings in relief. Still, having them around gives Texas a way to handle injuries, slumps, or a messy spring without freaking out about the fifth rotation spot.
- Cal Quantrill — steady veteran with starting experience, could fill a swingman role if needed.
- Austin Gomber — once had promise; maybe this spring is his shot to carve out a bullpen-rotation hybrid role.
- Nabil Crismatt — flexible reliever who can step in when things get weird.
Spring training implications and potential moves
With spring on the horizon, the Rangers face a few questions. What if Rocker stumbles? And what if Latz shows he can handle a bigger load?
They might just keep Latz in the rotation as a backup plan, while one of those vets picks up swingman duties or handles staggered relief innings. There’s also a chance they circle back to Patrick Corbin on a bargain deal, especially after his bounce-back in 2025. Veteran arms like his are always tempting when the fifth spot feels shaky.
Here is the source article for this story: Searching For A Fifth Starter In Texas
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