Ezequiel Duran has become much more than a useful piece for the playoff-hunting Texas Rangers. In a season filled with injuries and lineup uncertainty, the versatile infielder has repeatedly stepped into whatever role the team has needed, earning a nickname that now seems almost impossible to dispute: “The Solution.”
The nickname originated as a joke during Duran’s winter-ball stint in the Dominican Republic, but it has since taken on a life of its own inside the Rangers’ clubhouse. Texas players even have T-shirts featuring the phrase alongside three different photos of Duran, a fitting tribute to a player who has seemingly been willing to do anything to keep the club competitive.
“It would be a very different season without him being able to pick up and help out the team the way he has,” Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi said.
Duran’s production has backed up the reputation. He has started games at six different positions while batting .276 with 13 home runs and a career-best 63 RBIs. That power has been particularly notable considering he failed to hit a home run across 90 games last season.
More recently, Duran has settled in as Texas’ everyday third baseman while Josh Jung remains on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain. His ability to move around the diamond has provided the Rangers with critical flexibility during a season in which injuries have repeatedly tested their depth.
Texas entered Thursday’s off day at 57-58, sitting just 1 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West. The Rangers had previously held the division lead before Houston swept them last weekend, contributing to a season-long six-game losing streak.
Duran helped make sure that skid finally came to an end.
In Tuesday night’s 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants, Duran drove in four runs, including the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth. It was another reminder of just how valuable he has become when Texas needs a big moment.
Duran Has Played Nearly Everywhere
Shortstop has been Duran’s most frequent position this season, with 44 starts there while two-time World Series MVP Corey Seager has spent time on the injured list three separate times.
Duran has also made 20 starts at third base, another 20 at second, one at first and seven starts apiece in left and right field. He has appeared at multiple positions in 23 games, including 13 contests in which he has played both the infield and outfield.
“He nicknamed himself ‘The Solution’ for a reason, and it’s no joke,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “He has been that the whole year.”
The story behind the nickname makes his current role even more fitting. Duran said a teammate in the Dominican Winter League first called him “The Solution” after he played three different positions in the span of three innings during a game.
Although Duran initially forgot about the nickname, it resurfaced once he arrived at Texas’ spring training camp. The Rangers even tested his versatility by putting him through catching drills.
He has yet to appear behind the plate in an actual game, but his willingness to take on unusual assignments is nothing new. Last season, Duran made four relief appearances and retired 10 of the 11 batters he faced.
Texas acquired Duran from the New York Yankees in 2021 as part of the multi-player trade that sent Joey Gallo to New York. Duran had originally joined the Yankees organization shortly after turning 18 in 2017 before making his major league debut with Texas in 2022.
He would go on to play an important utility role during the Rangers’ historic 2023 championship run, when Texas captured the first World Series title in franchise history.
Coming Through When Texas Needs Him Most
Duran’s recent offensive surge has only strengthened his importance to the Rangers.
On Tuesday, he delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning that gave Texas a 4-2 advantage. After San Francisco rallied to tie the game in the ninth, Duran came through again, lining an RBI double in the bottom of the inning to end the contest.
The clutch performance followed an equally impressive night in the series opener, when Duran went 4-for-4 and hit a ninth-inning home run that accounted for Texas’ only run.
His teammates understand how much his contributions have meant to the Rangers’ postseason aspirations.
“We would not even be where we’re at in the playoff hunt without him,” right fielder Brandon Nimmo said. “He’s been integral to any success that we’ve had.”
Schumaker sees the same thing every day.
“The energy he brings daily, it’s real. It’s not fake, it’s not fluff,” the manager said. “With all these injuries that we’ve had, to have him do what he’s done has really kept us afloat where we’re at right now.”
For a Rangers team trying to stay within striking distance of the division lead, Duran has become the ultimate insurance policy. Whether Texas needs an infielder, an outfielder, a timely hit or simply someone willing to fill an unexpected role, “The Solution” continues to provide exactly what his team needs.