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Jose Corniell Back With Rangers, But Not a Redraft Pickup
Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Jose Corniell was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, July 18, bringing the organization's No. 4 prospect back to the majors. The results at Round Rock have been rough: a 6.37 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts over 35 1/3 innings, with nine starts among his 10 appearances. His earlier trip to Texas ended with five earned runs allowed in 3 1/3 innings against Miami. The stuff still makes Corniell worth tracking in dynasty leagues. His fastball sat between 95 and 97 mph and touched 99 last season, while MLB Pipeline grades both the pitch and his slider as above average. That is more future interest than present redraft value. Texas has not announced a rotation spot or firm workload, and the current numbers do not make Corniell an add outside deep AL-only or dynasty formats.
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Jack Leiter Feeling Good During Throwing Program
Texas Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter (ankle) threw a bullpen session during this week's All-Star break and continues to throw off flat ground this weekend during the team's series in Atlanta against the Braves, per MLB.com. Leiter's arm is feeling good as he continues to rehab after having arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle. The Rangers placed him on the 15-day injured list on June 21. Barring a setback, the 26-year-old former second overall pick from Vanderbilt University in 2021 will have a chance to return late in the 2026 season. Leiter's timetable for a return should become clearer once he resumes throwing off a mound, but he'll most likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before he rejoins Texas' starting rotation for the stretch run. He has yet to live up to his draft hype in his three big-league seasons so far, and he was 3-7 with a 5.29 ERA (4.76 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 83 strikeouts and 35 walks in 80 innings (15 starts) this year before going on the IL. Only fantasy managers in AL-only and keeper leagues should be stashing Leiter right now. He's rostered in just 15% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Sebastian Walcott to Return to Double-A on Friday
Texas Rangers infield prospect Sebastian Walcott (elbow) is expected to serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff for Double-A Frisco on Friday night against Double-A Tulsa as he returns from the 60-day injured list, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The 20-year-old top prospect started a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League during the All-Star break earlier this week and is now returning to Frisco following an internal-brace surgery on his right elbow. He has been playing catch as well, but it's unclear at this point when exactly he'll be ready to play defense for the Rough Riders. In 124 games across 552 plate appearances last year at Frisco, Walcott hit .255/.355/.386 with a .741 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 32 stolen bases, and 71 runs scored at Double-A. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder is considered the fifth-best shortstop prospect in all of baseball in 2026, and his 40-homer upside at the next level at a premium position makes him a must-stash right now in dynasty/keeper leagues. Walcott's lengthy recovery from elbow surgery means he probably won't debut in the big leagues for the Rangers until next year, though.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Nathan Eovaldi Dealing With Illness, Could Start on Sunday
Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (illness) came in feeling under the weather on Friday, but he could still potentially start in Sunday's series finale in Atlanta against the Braves, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. Fantasy managers will want to check back in on Eovaldi's condition going into Sunday's game to see if he's still on track to start in a less-than-ideal matchup to kick off the second half of his season. The 36-year-old veteran has maintained a high floor for fantasy managers because of his ability to miss bats and throw strikes consistently. Eovaldi finished the first half of the 2026 season with Texas with a 9-7 record, 4.04 ERA (4.02 FIP), and 1.12 WHIP with 120 strikeouts and 26 walks in 111 1/3 innings pitched across 18 starts. Going into the All-Star break, Eovaldi allowed three runs or fewer in each of his final five starts, and he had at least nine punchouts in each of his final four starts before the Midsummer Classic. He'll be a bit riskier against Atlanta on the road, though, if he's still not 100% recovered from his illness.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Jacob deGrom Likely to Return to the Rotation Next Week
Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom (glute) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday and will likely start one of the games at home against the Chicago White Sox in a series that starts on Monday, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. deGrom, who is no stranger to injuries during his career, suffered a mild left-glute injury before the All-Star break, but he will avoid the injured list and return to the starting rotation for the second series of the second half of the season. The 38-year-old veteran continues to have a tough time staying healthy, but when available, the two-time Cy Young winner has stayed relevant in all fantasy leagues and will take a 7-5 record, 3.49 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 122 strikeouts over 100 2/3 innings and 18 starts into the second half of the 2026 season. The five-time All-Star will definitely be riskier in starting fantasy lineups in his first start back coming off his glute injury, and the matchup against the suddenly potent White Sox isn't an ideal one. Despite his age, deGrom is offering a strong 30.4% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Corey Seager Doing Straight-Line Running on Friday
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) is doing some straight-line jogging/running on the field at Truist Park on Friday before the team's series opener against the Atlanta Braves, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Between injuries and poor performance at the plate, it has been an extremely disappointing year for the 32-year-old veteran shortstop. Seager has played in just four games since June 11 due to a concussion, and more recently, inflammation in his lower back that put him back on the injured list. There's no current timetable for his return, and given his health issues in 2026, fantasy managers who have been stashing him shouldn't expect Seager to be back with the Rangers until August. The five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner has struggled to a .182/.292/.374 slash line with a .667 OPS, 10 home runs, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored, and one steal in his 187 at-bats this year when healthy. Seager can bounce back if he can finally get fully healthy, but at this point, fantasy managers have to be wondering if that will happen in the second half. He's currently rostered in 81% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Jacob deGrom Lined Up to Return on Sunday?
Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom's (glute) next start is still to be determined, but he said he was going to play catch during this week's All-Star break and will probably throw off the mound in Atlanta to begin the second half of the season, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The Rangers have listed their starter for Sunday's series finale against the Braves as TBA, so it's possible that deGrom could return to the starting rotation to take that start. The Rangers scratched deGrom from his final start of the first half with a mild left-glute strain, but if he can get through a bullpen session in the next few days, he could get the green light to return on Sunday. If he needs more time, deGrom could make his first start of the second half next week versus the Chicago White Sox. Either way, the matchups won't be ideal for the two-time Cy Young winner and oft-injured hurler. In 18 starts (100 2/3 innings) in the first half of 2026, the 38-year-old went 7-5 with a 3.49 ERA (3.40 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 122 strikeouts and 22 walks for the Rangers. deGrom will continue to be an injury risk for fantasy managers, but he still has high-end strikeout upside and is mostly a must-start when he takes the mound for Texas.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Jake Burger a Viable Power Target in Fantasy Baseball?
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger has a .240/.304/.423 slash line with a .727 OPS, 16 home runs, 58 RBI, 41 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 92 games across 372 plate appearances in 2026 at the halfway point. If he stays healthy the rest of the way, Burger could reach the 30-homer mark for the second time in his career, yet he's only rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues. He hit .270 (24-for-89) with four home runs, three doubles, 15 RBI, nine runs scored, and a steal in 26 games in June, but in nine games in July before the All-Star break, Burger hit .118 (4-for-34) with two homers, six RBI, three runs, two walks, and 12 strikeouts. The former 11th overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in 2017 out of Missouri State University has a 26.3% strikeout rate, which is his highest mark since 2023 with Chicago and the Miami Marlins. Burger's swing-and-miss tendencies aren't going to help fantasy managers' average or on-base percentage, but the power is still real. He sits in the 77th percentile in hard-hit rate, 65th percentile in barrel rate, and 48th percentile in xSLG.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Rangers Promote Prospect Emiliano Teodo, a Worthy Waiver Target?
Texas Rangers pitcher Emiliano Teodo has been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday. The 25-year-old will make his first trip to the big leagues after posting solid numbers out of the bullpen for Round Rock. He registered a 3.76 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and a 52:35 K/BB ratio across 402. innings in Triple-A this season. The expectation is that he'll begin as a low-leverage middle reliever for the Rangers. Teodo does have the potential to move into a high-leverage or possibly a closer role in the future. He could be worth adding in fantasy formats where holds matter. Otherwise, fantasy managers should keep an eye on him as a potential saves target down the road.
Source: Rangers PR
Source: Rangers PR
Rangers Select Top Left-Handed Pitcher Gio Rojas With 16th Overall Pick
The Texas Rangers selected left-handed pitcher Gio Rojas with the 16th overall selection in the 2026 MLB Draft. Rojas entered the pre-draft process as MLB Pipeline's No. 8 overall prospect and the top left-handed pitcher in the class. The 19-year-old left-hander is a graduate of Stoneman Douglas High School (Florida) and has already shown his raw talent on the big stage, leading the way by tossing 11 shutout frames for Team USA in the WBSC U-18 World Cup. His fastball has reached 98 MPH and has been given a 60-grade rating by MLB.com. Rojas mixes in a well-regarded slider (60 grade) that plays off this dominant fastball quite well. The young southpaw has the potential to become a frontline starter, but dynasty managers will need to be patient as he will likely need several seasons of development in the lower levels of the Texas system.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jacob deGrom to Miss Sunday's Start With Glute Strain
Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom (glute) will not make his scheduled start on Sunday in the series finale against the division-rival Houston Astros due to a mild left-glute strain, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Manager Skip Schumaker said he's unsure if deGrom will be available "right away" after next week's All-Star break. The Rangers haven't placed the veteran starting pitcher on the injured list yet, but it could be inevitable, especially if he's not ready to take his turn in the rotation coming out of the All-Star break. The 38-year-old two-time Cy Young winner and five-time All-Star still has high-end strikeout potential for fantasy managers -- he has a 30.4% strikeout rate in 2026 -- but durability is part of the risk. The 13-year veteran will close out the first half with a 7-5 record, 3.49 ERA (3.41 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 122 strikeouts and 22 walks in 100 2/3 innings pitched across his 18 starts. Fantasy managers who have deGrom rostered might have to be patient to begin the second half of 2026, but at least it's not an arm injury.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Nathan Eovaldi Finishes First Half Strong With 10 K's Against Angels
It wasn't the prettiest outing, but Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi finished the first half of his 2026 season strong in a 7-6 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night at Globe Life Field. Eovaldi allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits while walking two and striking out a season-high 10 batters in six innings for a no-decision. Eovaldi generated 23 swings and misses for his 10th quality start of the season. The 36-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five straight starts going into next week's All-Star break, and he now holds a 9-7 record, 4.04 ERA (4.04 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with 120 strikeouts and 26 walks in 111 1/3 innings pitched across his 18 starts in 2026 in his 15th year in the big leagues. Durability is a concern for Eovaldi at his age, but when healthy, he has a stable floor, and he currently ranks 12th in baseball with 120 strikeouts. Eovaldi is sporting a solid 25.9% strikeout rate and 5.6% walk rate.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Wyatt Langford Activated and Starting on Thursday
The Texas Rangers announced on Thursday that they activated outfielder Wyatt Langford (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Langford is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second for Thursday's series finale at home against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Reid Detmers. The 24-year-old former fourth overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft out of the University of Florida will return to the Rangers' lineup without having gone on a minor-league rehab assignment after missing under two weeks with a strained left hamstring. Fantasy managers will want to get the power/speed threat back in their starting lineups right away. Injuries have been the story of Langford's career to this point in his third MLB season. He's been good when healthy in 2026, hitting .278/.324/.500 with an .824 OPS, eight home runs, 20 RBI, 23 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 40 games and 173 plate appearances. Langford has hit .200 with a homer and two RBI in just five career at-bats against Detmers.
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Josh Jung Still Absent on Wednesday
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (knee) remains absent for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field, per MLB.com. Ezequiel Duran will make another start at third base and will bat fifth against Angels rookie right-hander Walbert Urena. Jung will sit out for a third straight game due to discomfort in his knee after he fouled a ball off his leg during the loss on Saturday to the Detroit Tigers. He's considered day-to-day for now, and fantasy managers will want to check back to see if he's available for the series finale on Thursday. The 28-year-old right-handed slugger has already had his fair share of injuries in the big leagues since debuting with Texas in 2022, but he has managed to stay healthy in 2026 and is having an excellent year at the plate. Through 83 games in his fifth year in the big leagues, Jung is slashing .297/.362/.449 with an .811 OPS, nine home runs, 34 RBI, 41 runs scored, and a steal in 359 plate appearances. Jung doesn't have as much power as the high-end fantasy third basemen, but he should be rostered in more than his current 43% number in Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Can Sebastian Walcott Debut at Triple-A in the Second Half?
Texas Rangers top infield prospect Sebastian Walcott has been sidelined for the entire first half of the season due to a knee injury. However, according to team sources, Walcott has been progressing quite well and remains on schedule to return to game action sometime in August. Even though Walcott has yet to step on the diamond this season, the No. 10-ranked prospect in baseball is worth closely monitoring, especially for those in dyasnty/keeper formats. In 2025, the 20-year-old spent his entire campaign at the Double-A level, where he posted a .255/.355/.386 line with a .741 OPS. He swiped 32 bags while going deep 13 times. Managers should pay close attention to his rehab assignment as the Rangers could send him to Triple-A once cleared for action. While an MLB debut will have to wait until 2027, he could quickly re-emerge as an elite dynasty option once he is activated from the injured list.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
