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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Four scoreless innings Saturday
Rotowire
Latz struck out three and walked one across four scoreless and hitless innings in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.
With Jacob deGrom scratched due to neck stiffness, Latz made the spot start for Texas after he lost out to Kumar Rocker for the fifth spot in Texas' rotation over the spring. Latz made easy work of the Phillies on 68 pitches but didn't factor into the decision. As long as deGrom is cleared for his next start next weekend, Latz should slot back into a long-relief role in the bullpen.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Making spot start Saturday
Rotowire
Latz is starting for the Rangers against the Phillies on Saturday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Jacob deGrom was initially slated to take the mound Saturday, but the veteran right-hander was scratched due to neck stiffness. Latz was unsuccessful in earning a spot in the Rangers' rotation this spring, but the 29-year-old will open things up in deGrom's absence. Latz started in eight regular-season games for the Rangers in 2025 and posted a 2.72 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 39.2 innings.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Opening season in bullpen
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President of baseball operations Chris Young said Monday that Latz will be part of the bullpen on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Latz will likely be ticketed for a multi-inning relief role, with most of his opportunities expected to come in lower-leverage spots. The assignment to the bullpen is a disappointing outcome for Latz, who looked to have a leg up on Kumar Rocker for the final spot in the season-opening rotation heading into spring training based on his strong close to the 2025 campaign. After an Aug. 20 call-up from Triple-A Round Rock, Latz turned in a 2.10 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB in 30 innings over his final eight outings with the Rangers, but he couldn't carry over that success to the spring. He yielded 16 runs (14 earned) on 18 hits and eight walks over his 15.1 innings during the Cactus League.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Still in hunt for rotation
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Texas manager Skip Schumaker said Saturday that Latz's chances of earning a roster spot will not be affected by the results of his final spring start, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Latz allowed nine runs on eight hits and two walks over three innings in a Cactus League outing Thursday, inflating his spring ERA to 8.22. "You don't make or break a team or a position on the last day of spring, or last couple days of spring," Schumaker said of Latz. The Rangers' main concern is the southpaw's inability to maintain velocity deeper into games this spring, which could prevent him from providing at least five effective innings in a start. Latz's main competition for the final spot in the rotation is Kumar Rocker, who has excelled his last two times out but still has things the organization would like him to work on, such as his changeup usage. Non-roster veterans Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill are also still in the mix.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Losing velocity
Rotowire
Latz allowed nine runs (seven earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out five over three innings in Thursday's spring start against the Brewers.
The southpaw picked an unfortunate time to post this clunker, as it came one day after his competitor for the final rotation spot, Kumar Rocker, threw four scoreless frames. As troublesome as the results were, more concerning might be Latz's inability to hold the velocity on his four-seamer. The pitch sat 94-96 mph in his first two innings before dipping to 90-92 mph in the third and fourth frames. Latz and Rocker are trending in opposite directions, and while no decision has been made, signs point to Rocker securing the final rotation spot, likely leaving Latz in the bullpen.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Battles into fourth inning
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Latz allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Giants.
Latz's third Cactus League start was a grind. After an efficient 1-2-3 first inning, the left-hander needed 18 pitches for the second frame. The walks also drove up his pitch count, and by the time he started the fourth inning, Latz's velocity diminished. Per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers have been concerned about Latz's ability to maintain velocity throughout a game and work as a viable starter. He's currently competing with Kumar Rocker for the final spot in the rotation, with Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber also options if neither favorite is deemed able to handle the assignment.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Rebounds after rocky start
Rotowire
Latz allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one over three innings in Sunday's spring start against Seattle.
Two batters into Latz's second Cactus League start, the Rangers trailed, 2-0, after the left-hander served up a middle-middle slider that Cole Young drove 442 feet over the fence in right field. He allowed another hit in the inning, and then retired eight consecutive batters before calling it a day. Latz threw 41 pitches (26 strikes) and did not walk a batter for the second straight start. He was used mostly as a reliever the last few seasons, but the Rangers are building him as a starter and letting him compete with Kumar Rocker for the final spot in the rotation. Of the two, Latz has performed better thus far in spring action.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Opens rotation bid
Rotowire
Latz allowed two hits over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's spring start against Arizona.
Latz made his Cactus League debut and was all over the strike zone, landing 20 of his 26 pitches for strikes. The left-hander delivered first-pitch strikes to six of the eight batters he faced. He's competing with Kumar Rocker for the fifth spot in the rotation, but he could ultimately land in a hybrid role.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Competing for No. 5 spot
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Latz will compete for a spot in Texas' starting rotation this spring, Kenndi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Latz, who served as a swingman in 2025, had a 2.93 ERA over 46.0 innings as a reliever and 2.72 ERA over 39.2 innings in eight spot starts. Those numbers indicate how valuable he was in a dual role; however, the left-hander will be given a shot at being a full-time starter. Latz said in January at the team's Winter Warm-Up that he wants to start, but his ability to excel at both jobs may be more valuable. Kumar Rocker is also in the mix for the final spot in the rotation. Cody Bradford (elbow) also would have been part of competition, but he's not due back until mid-May.
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Strikes out six in no-decision
Rotowire
Latz didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Guardians, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out six.
It was just the eighth start of the season for Latz, who fell one punchout shy of matching his season high. The 29-year-old southpaw didn't see much high-leverage work in 2025 -- he has two holds and one save -- but he was effective as a swingman for the Rangers. Through 85.2 frames, Latz produced a 2.84 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 76:37 K:BB.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Making start Saturday
Rotowire
Latz is slated to start Saturday's game against the Guardians in Cleveland.
With the Rangers recently welcoming Tyler Mahle back from the injured list, Latz had shifted to the bullpen following his most recent start Sept. 14 against the Mets. He has since made a pair of relief appearances, but Latz will be back in a starting role as the season winds down while the Rangers having shifted to a six-man rotation since being eliminated from playoff contention. Through 32 appearances (seven starts) on the campaign, Latz has gone 2-0 with a 2.80 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 70:37 K:BB in 80.1 innings.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Walks four in no-decision
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Latz did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Mets. He yielded one run on two hits and four walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings.
Latz worked through four scoreless frames before the Mets finally broke the 0-0 tie in the fifth inning. He hasn't completed six innings in an outing since June 24 as he's bounced around between the rotation, the bullpen and Triple-A Round Rock in recent months. Since moving back into the rotation, Latz has allowed five runs over 20 innings (2.25 ERA) in four appearances. His season ERA is down to 2.85 with a 70:36 K:BB through 79 innings. Latz's role moving forward is unclear, as Tyler Mahle (shoulder) is set to rejoin the Rangers' rotation this week.
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Quiets Brewers over 5.2 innings
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Latz (2-0) notched the win Monday against the Brewers, allowing three hits and one walk in 5.2 shutout innings. He struck out four.
It was was perhaps Latz's finest effort as a starter so far this season, as it was his first scoreless start of the year. The left-hander has gone at least five innings in four of his six starts in 2025, and he's in line to remain in the rotation with Nathan Eovaldi (shoulder) sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. Latz has a 2.91 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 66:32 K:BB across a career-high 74.1 frames. He's next slated for a tall task on the road against the Mets this weekend.
Latz allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one over 5.1 innings to take a no-decision Tuesday versus the Diamondbacks.
Latz had a fine start, but he was given a short leash after running into trouble in the sixth inning. He exited at 71 pitches (45 strikes) after issuing a pair of one-out walks, and reliever Luis Curvelo wasn't able to shut things down. Over his last three outings (two starts), Latz has allowed four runs over 13 innings while posting a 10:4 K:BB. He's at a 3.15 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 62:31 K:BB through 68.2 innings over 28 appearances (five starts) in the majors this season. Latz is tentatively projected to draw a tough home start versus the Brewers early next week.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Drawing another start
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Latz will be the Rangers' starting pitcher for Tuesday's game in Arizona.
Latz earned another turn after allowing two runs and striking out five over 4.1 innings in a start against the Angels last week. The left-hander has made four starts and 23 relief appearances this season and pitched well in both roles, collecting a 3.13 ERA and 61:29 K:BB over 63.1 frames. With Nathan Eovaldi (shoulder) out for the season, Latz could remain in the rotation indefinitely if he pitches well.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Solid as starter
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Latz didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Los Angeles, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 4.1 innings.
The Rangers selected Latz to fill Nathan Eovaldi's (shoulder) spot in the rotation, and Latz fared well in the position. He threw just 66 pitches, up from the 43 pitches he threw in his previous appearance, and managed to pitch into the fifth frame. In four starts this season, Latz has a 3.38 ERA and a 19:8 K:BB across 18.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to make his next start against the Diamondbacks early next week and could continue building up his workload.
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Rangers' Jacob Latz: Drawing start versus Angels
Rotowire
Latz has been named the Rangers' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Angels in Arlington.
With Nathan Eovaldi (shoulder) set to go on the injured list with a likely season-ending rotator cuff strain, Latz will get the first chance to replace him in the rotation. Latz has previously made three starts among his 26 appearances for the Rangers, but he most recently worked out of the bullpen in an outing against the Royals on Aug. 20, when he struck out four over 3.1 scoreless innings. Latz should be able to build on the 43-pitch workload he handled in that contest, but the Rangers may not keep him in Wednesday's game long enough for Latz to qualify for a win.
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