Texas Rangers' Josh Jung breaks his bat on a line drive against the San Diego Padres in the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 30, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)
SURFPRISE, Ariz. − Future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer won’t pitch again for the Texas Rangers until at least June. Two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom is out until at least August. Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe has an oblique strain that likely will sideline him a month, requiring the first IL stint of his career. All-Star shortstop Corey Seager (sports hernia) and third baseman Josh Jung (left calf strain) have been injured all spring.
Their two top draft picks of the past two years, starters Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, likely won’t be ready to pitch in the big league this season. And Rangers owner Ray Davis, at least for now, refuses to bring back postseason pitching hero Jordan Montgomery on a lucrative free-agent contract with no TV contract past this season. But worry? Uh-uh. These are the defending World Series champions. They sneer at adversity, and swat off obstacles off like a summer mosquitos, just like they did over and over again last season.
“I really feel good about our world championship,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy tells USA TODAY Sports. “They have something now for the rest of their lives, including Ray Davis and ownership. It’s just the gift that keeps on giving. “We have the confidence now that we can play with anybody, and pitch with everybody. We got over that last hurdle. The expectations are different for us now. The standards are different. “When we start the season, we’ll have the ring ceremony and all of that hoopla, but that’s when you realize it’s over. It’s time to get to work and win another one.”
