Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Helps fill in for injured mate
Rotowire
Duran entered as a pinch runner for Corey Seager (hamstring) and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Thursday's 9-1 win over Detroit. He was also picked off/caught stealing.
Duran remained in the game to play third base while Josh Smith, the primary third baseman while Josh Jung (wrist) is unavailable, moved to shortstop to cover Seager's spot in the field. Texas manager Bruce Bochy downplayed the injury when speaking to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com following the game. If the injury lingers, the combination of Smith and Duran should handle the left side of the infield. The Rangers are off Thursday.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Heading to bench Wednesday
Rotowire
Duran is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.
Duran had been included in the lineup in each of Texas' last six games, drawing three starts at first base, two at designated hitter and one at second base over that stretch while going 4-for-20 with an RBI and a run. He'll cede his spot in the lineup to Travis Jankowski on Wednesday, but Duran should have a path to steady playing time until the Rangers bring back one of Josh Jung (wrist) or Evan Carter (back) from the injured list.
Duran started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a double in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers.
Duran was in the starting lineup at first base for a third straight game -- all against lefties -- as it appears primary starter Nathaniel Lowe is losing work against southpaws. Duran is batting .235/.304/.275 against lefties this season -- which is lower than Lowe's line of .250/.327/.292 --suggesting the platoon may not be a long-term solution.
Duran will start at first base and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Marlins.
Duran will stay in the lineup for a fourth straight game, with two starts coming against left-handed pitchers and two coming versus righties. While Evan Carter (back) is on the injured list, Duran looks to be a priority for the final spot in the Texas lineup over the likes of Robbie Grossman and Travis Jankowski.
Duran isn't in the Rangers' lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Duran will take a seat Tuesday despite putting together a respectable five-game hitting streak. His absence will allow Travis Jankowski to start in left field while batting ninth.
Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Connects for first homer of 2024
Rotowire
Duran went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's loss to the Twins.
Duran finally got on the board with his first long ball of the season, though that wasn't enough to save him from being lifted for a defensive replacement (Travis Jankowski) later in the game. While Duran now has a .284 batting average, he has just a .683 OPS and his playing time has been trending downward. The 25-year-old had been in the starting lineup for just two of the Rangers' last six games entering Saturday.
