Duran started at third base and went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 6-0 win over the Orioles.
Duran made a second straight start at third base, where there could be additional opportunities for him in the near term in the wake of the Rangers optioning Josh Jung to the minors. Duran and Josh Smith are expected to fill the void while Jung works on his swing at Triple-A Round Rock.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Swipes two bags off bench
Rotowire
Duran stole two bases as a pinch runner in Monday's 10-6 extra-innings loss to the Orioles.
Duran swiped second and third after pinch running for Kyle Higashioka in the ninth inning. The Rangers left him stranded on third, and while they rallied to keep the game going in the 10th, they couldn't pull off a second comeback in the 11th. Duran is not seeing consistent playing time as a reserve infielder, which makes sense since he went just 4-for-23 (.174) with eight strikeouts over 13 games in June. Most of his starts are likely to be against left-handed pitchers, but his real value comes from versatility off the bench. Duran is batting just .138 this season while adding three steals, two RBI, four runs scored, four doubles and no home runs over 66 plate appearances.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Sitting for second straight game
Rotowire
Duran is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.
After Jake Burger (oblique) was placed on the injured list Saturday, Duran started each of the Rangers' ensuing three games at first base and went 1-for-10 with a walk and a run scored. The poor three-game run as a starter may have closed Duran's window for steady playing time temporarily, as he'll now find himself on the bench against a right-handed starting pitcher (Brandon Young) for the second straight day. Super-utility man Josh Smith will serve as the Rangers' first baseman Wednesday, and the Rangers may use Burger's vacated lineup spot to cycle in a number of different players at designated hitter.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Scores run in loss
Rotowire
Duran started at first base and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.
The utility player is expected to serve as the Rangers' primary option at first base after Jake Burger (oblique) landed on the injured list Saturday. Duran's opportunities have picked up over the last week, as Josh Smith dealt with a hamstring injury and Josh Jung was given a multi-day mental break. Duran's had effective offensive stretches while with the Rangers -- most notably in 2023 when he posted a .767 OPS with 14 home runs and eight steals in 122 games -- but he hasn't gained regular traction in the big-league lineup over the past season and a half.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Playing time to increase
Rotowire
Manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that Duran will see the majority of the reps at first base while Jake Burger (oblique) is on the injured list, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Bochy also gave Duran some praise for his recent work at the plate, which is another positive sign for Duran's fantasy outlook. The 26-year-old has just 51 plate appearances this season and has logged a poor .455 OPS, but he has three doubles in his last nine at-bats and will have an opportunity to prove himself in a larger role. Justin Foscue and Josh Smith could occasionally start at first base while Burger is sidelined.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Drawing third straight start
Rotowire
Duran will start at designated hitter and bat ninth Wednesday against the Royals.
Duran will get a third consecutive start, this time handling a non-defensive role after he filled in at third base for Josh Jung in the previous two contests. Jung is back in the lineup Wednesday, and Josh Smith (hamstring) is expected to be back in the starting nine by the weekend, so Duran appears likely to be headed back to a bench role in the near future.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Gets another start at shortstop
Rotowire
Duran started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 with a run scored in Monday's 2-1 win over the Rockies.
Duran make his second straight start in place of the injured Corey Seager (hamstring). Josh Smith is typically the next man up at shortstop, but he was unavailable Monday due to back soreness. Once or both of Seager and Smith return to action, Duran will likely see fewer opportunities in the Texas infield.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Fills in at shortstop
Rotowire
Duran started at shortstop and went 2-for-4 in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Tigers.
Duran filled in for Corey Seager, who aggravated a hamstring injury Saturday. Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday that Seager is operating at about 85 percent, per MLB.com. Seager is set to undergo more further evaluation Monday. Should that lead to another stint on the injured list, Duran would be in line for more opportunities.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Promotion made official
Rotowire
The Rangers recalled Duran from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.
The Rangers played a man short in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, as they put Kevin Pillar (back) on the injured list prior to the contest but had to wait for Duran to arrive in Boston after traveling. Duran is with the big club now, and he'll serve in a utility role.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Promotion imminent
Rotowire
The Rangers are expected to recall Duran from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Texas has already placed Kevin Pillar (back) on the injured list in a corresponding move, but since Duran isn't scheduled to arrive in Boston prior to Wednesday's contest, the Rangers will wait until Thursday to make his promotion official. Duran will offer depth at all four infield spots and both corner-outfield spots and will likely see most of his starts against left-handed pitching. He had been on the fire at the plate since being optioned to Triple-A on April 20, slashing .346/.393/.673 with four home runs and five stolen bases over 13 games.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Sent down to minors
Rotowire
The Rangers optioned Duran to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Texas needed to clear a spot on the 26-man roster for the return of Wyatt Langford (oblique), and Duran was the recipient of a demotion. The 26-year-old has been unable to get going offensively this season, as he's 0-for-14 with four strikeouts so far. The Rangers will look for Duran to get his bat on track with Round Rock.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Starts at first base
Rotowire
Duran started at first base and went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Angels.
Duran entered the starting lineup with Jake Burger sitting out due to an illness. Duran, who opened the season in Texas and was recently recalled from the minors, is hitless through 14 at-bats.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
The Rangers recalled Duran from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Duran was just optioned Tuesday but is back a day later as Wyatt Langford (oblique) goes on the injured list. Duran could see some action in the outfield while Langford is shelved.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rangers optioned Duran to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.
With Josh Jung (neck) back from the injured list, Duran is the odd man out in the Rangers' infield mix. He failed to record a hit or get on base across his first 12 plate appearances to begin the season. Duran will try to find his swing with more regular playing time in the minors.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Starts at third base
Rotowire
Duran started at third base and went 0-for-2 with an RBI in Sunday's 3-2 win over Boston.
Duran got the start at third base after the Rangers placed Josh Jung (neck spasms) on the 10-day injured list. Jung's backup might normally be Josh Smith, but he left Saturday's game with a quadriceps injury and did not play Sunday.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Enters at third base
Rotowire
Duran entered to play third base after Josh Smith (quadriceps) was removed in the first inning of Saturday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox. He went 0-for-4.
Smith had been filling in for Josh Jung (neck spasms), who was given the day off. Jung is expected to miss a few days, which could lead to Duran starting at third for Sunday's series finale against Boston, and maybe Monday's game in Cincinnati as well if Smith's quad injury lingers.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Left off projected roster
Rotowire
Duran is not included on the latest Opening Day roster projection compiled by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.
Duran's path to a roster spot would be as a utility player and appears to be blocked by Josh Smith and Kevin Pillar. Duran's 2024 struggles at the plate have carried over this spring; he's batting .118 (2-for-17) and is hitless over his last 12 at-bats.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Not guaranteed roster spot
Rotowire
Manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that Duran isn't guaranteed a place on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Duran posted a .276/.324/.443 slash line with 14 home runs in 122 games two seasons ago, but he slipped to a .609 OPS in 2024 and now doesn't have a secure role. The 25-year-old is competing for a utility job, but Josh Smith is poised to be the main reserve infielder while Leody Taveras lines up as the No. 4 outfielder.
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