As Spring Training winds down, the Texas Rangers are left sorting through a tightly contested battle for the final spot in their starting rotation, with left-hander Jacob Latz and right-hander Kumar Rocker among the leading candidates.

The decision is far from simple, especially after both pitchers showed flashes of promise mixed with inconsistency throughout camp.

According to Rangers beat reporter Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker emphasized that one late outing shouldn’t define a player’s chances. That's a sentiment which carried weight after Latz struggled in his final Spring appearance.

The lefty surrendered nine runs, seven earned, over three innings against Milwaukee, inflating his overall Spring numbers. Still, Schumaker remained confident in Latz’s overall body of work and health heading into the season.

Latz, who posted a solid 2.84 ERA across 85 2/3 innings in 2025, entered camp aiming to reestablish himself as a full-time starter. While his results this spring didn’t meet expectations, he pointed to the workload and progress beneath the surface as encouraging signs.

The left-hander noted that despite the uneven outcomes, he feels physically prepared and confident in his ability to attack hitters when the regular season begins.

Rocker, meanwhile, delivered steadier results in Arizona, though his development remains ongoing. The former top prospect has worked to refine his mechanics after a turbulent 2025 campaign that included multiple stints in Triple-A.

His fastball velocity has been a positive, consistently sitting in the upper 90s, but questions remain about the depth of his arsenal and his ability to manage the running game.

Schumaker acknowledged that while Rocker has made strides, there are still areas that need improvement, particularly the use of his changeup. The organization believes that adding a reliable third pitch could be the key to unlocking his full potential as a frontline starter.

The competition has also included veterans like Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber, though the focus remains on how each candidate fits the team’s broader needs.

President of baseball operations Chris Young stressed that expectations for the role are realistic, noting the team isn’t seeking dominance but rather stability from the fifth starter.

With Opening Day approaching, the Rangers now face a decision that could come down to readiness versus upside. Each contender has made a compelling, if imperfect, case during camp.

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