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: 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: 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: 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: 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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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Reinstated from paternity list
Rotowire
The Rangers reinstated Duran from the paternity list Friday.
Duran missed the Rangers' last three games while on paternity leave, but the 25-year-old will be available for the upcoming weekend series against the Angels. For the month of September, Duran has slashed .288/.327/.442 with five doubles, one home run and six RBI across 55 plate appearances.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Placed on paternity list
Rotowire
The Rangers placed Duran on the paternity list Tuesday.
Duran will be allowed to miss up to three games while he spends time with his growing family, and he's expected to take over for Josh Jung (wrist) as the Rangers' primary third baseman once he returns. In the meantime, Dustin Harris and Matt Duffy will come up from Triple-A Round Rock to help replenish Texas' infield depth.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Getting rest Tuesday
Rotowire
Duran isn't in Texas' lineup for Tuesday's game against the Athletics.
After going 6-for-13 with an RBI during the Rangers' last series against Seattle, Duran will catch a breather to begin Tuesday's series opener. In his absence, Jonathan Ornelas will start at third base and bat ninth.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Starts at third base
Rotowire
Duran started at third base and went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Mariners.
Duran got the nod at the hot corner as Josh Jung (wrist/hand) was unavailable for a second consecutive game. Jonathan Ornelas and Duran have filled in for Jung the last two games and could finish out the season in that role. Saturday's loss eliminated the Rangers from the postseason, which could prompt the team to shut down Jung for the rest of the season.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Out of Tuesday's lineup
Rotowire
Duran is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.
Duran started the previous three games but will sit Tuesday while in the midst of a 1-for-15 slump. Justin Foscue will bat ninth as the designated hitter versus Toronto righty Chris Bassitt.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Back on bench Thursday
Rotowire
Duran is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Seattle.
Duran has been picking up starts at a multitude of positions since Corey Seager (hip) landed on the 10-day injured list. Until Thursday, Duran had made five consecutive starts, but he went hitless in the last two games as the designated hitter. Adolis Garcia is in the lineup as the designated hitter Thursday while Josh Smith is starting at shortstop.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Makes fourth consecutive start
Rotowire
Duran started at designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with a walk in Tuesday's 6-0 loss to Arizona.
Duran made a fourth consecutive start and sixth over the last seven contests. During that run, he's played left field, second base, shortstop, third base and DH while going 7-for-20 with four extra-base hits, two walks, five RBI and five runs scored. The opportunities could dry up when Corey Seager (hip) returns.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Clubs third homer
Rotowire
Duran went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Angels.
Duran has hit safely in all five of his games in September, going 7-for-18 (.389) with a homer, five RBI and three doubles in that span. His blast stretched the Rangers' lead to 4-0 in the second inning Sunday. Duran is up to a .256/.295/.336 slash line with three homers, 19 RBI, 24 runs scored, nine doubles and one stolen base over 237 plate appearances this season. Duran has filled a utility role in the infield with the Rangers using a handful of players as replacements for Corey Seager (hip) at shortstop. In September alone, Duran has seen starts at second base, third base, shortstop and in left field.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Two doubles in three-hit effort
Rotowire
Duran went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 10-6 win over the Yankees.
Duran saw sparse playing time during August after Wyatt Langford and Josh Jung returned from injuries. This was Duran's third multi-hit effort in his last 15 games, a span in which he's gone 8-for-31 (.258). He could be in the mix for playing time at shortstop while Corey Seager (hip) is on the injured list, but Duran figures to be on the short side of a platoon there with the left-handed-hitting Josh Smith. For the year, Duran is slashing .255/.293/.321 with two home runs, 16 RBI, 21 runs scored, eight doubles and one stolen base over 225 plate appearances.
