In a tightly contested showdown on Saturday, Texas edged the Chicago Cubs 3–2 to secure its first Cactus League victory of the year. The Rangers improved to 1–1 this spring, but the final score only tells part of the story. This was not about the regulars. This was not about the stars. This was about competition, desperation and players fighting to keep their big league dreams alive.
And it showed.
Unlike their spring opener in Surprise, when more than half of the projected Opening Day starters were in the lineup, the Rangers rolled out a wildly unconventional group in their first road game. The message from the coaching staff was clear: nothing is guaranteed, and spots are there for the taking.
Kumar Rocker took the ball as he continues to battle for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Every pitch matters for the young right-hander, and every inning is an audition. Spring training may not count in the standings, but it absolutely counts in the clubhouse.
Competition Creates Chaos — And Opportunity
Saturday’s lineup looked like something you would expect in a midseason injury crisis rather than the second game of spring.
Sam Haggerty at second base. Justin Foscue at first. Jonah Bride at third. Tyler Wade in center field.
It was unexpected. It was unusual. It was exactly what competition looks like.
The Rangers are holding a legitimate battle at second base, though the organization would love to see Josh Smith seize control of the job. Beyond that, only a few bench roles remain open, and at least three spots are up for grabs. No one has claimed them yet, which means manager Skip Schumaker is going to mix and match relentlessly over the next few weeks.
And with Cody Freeman sidelined by a back fracture that is expected to keep him out of Opening Day consideration, versatility suddenly carries even more weight. Texas needs players who can move around the diamond without hesitation. Those who can will have a real edge.
Sam Haggerty Just Sent a Loud Message
If Saturday was an audition, Sam Haggerty walked off the stage to applause.
The 31-year-old outfielder showed why versatility might be his golden ticket. Though primarily known for his work in the outfield, Haggerty has played 24 Major League games at second base and has logged time at every infield and outfield position in his career.
That flexibility alone makes him intriguing.
But then came the bat.
Haggerty went a perfect 3-for-3 and drove in all three of the Rangers’ runs. He delivered an RBI single in the second inning, then ripped a two-run double in the fourth. Speed. Defense. Timely hitting. Production. He checked every box.
Schumaker made it clear Friday that he would love his bench pieces to be Gold Glove caliber defenders. Realistically, he will settle for players who can competently handle multiple positions. If Haggerty proves he can be trusted in the infield while continuing to contribute offensively, it will be difficult to justify leaving him off the roster.
On a day built around competition, Haggerty may have just surged ahead.
Justin Foscue Might Have Solved His Biggest Problem
Few players entered camp with more to prove than Justin Foscue.
The former first-round pick has struggled to carve out consistent Major League opportunities, largely because of the established talent ahead of him. The Rangers believe in the bat. They have always believed in the bat. But there has been one glaring issue.
Left-handed pitching.
As a right-handed hitter, Foscue should have the advantage in those matchups. Yet the numbers have not backed that up. Last season, he went 1-for-9 against left-handers. In 2024, he was 1-for-17. The sample sizes were small, but the trend was concerning.
Saturday changed the narrative, at least for a day.
Foscue collected two hits in three at-bats, and both came against left-handed pitchers. He singled in the first inning off starter Matthew Boyd. Later, he added another single against reliever Luke Little. Two different lefties. Two solid at-bats. Two check marks in an area that desperately needed improvement.
“Every at-bat is a fight and he’s trying to make a team,” Schumaker said. “He’s going about it the right way and he took really good at-bats [today].”
In one afternoon, Foscue matched his entire previous Major League hit total against left-handers. It is just one spring game, but momentum has to start somewhere.
The Bigger Picture
Spring training can be deceptive. One game does not win a job. One hot afternoon does not guarantee a roster spot. But moments like Saturday matter.
They reveal hunger. They expose weaknesses. They reward adaptability.
The Rangers are not just evaluating talent. They are evaluating resilience, versatility and readiness. With roster spots still unsettled and competition heating up, every inning from here on out will feel like October for someone fighting to stay in the picture.
Texas may have earned its first spring win on the scoreboard.
But behind the scenes, the real victories are only beginning.