Adolis García’s benching shows Texas Rangers are serious about performance over pedigree
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Luke Jackson (77) throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Cardinals 8-1.
ARLINGTON — Two truths can exist in the same realm: The Texas Rangers have backed off of right fielder Adolis García, because they want the best for him and the best for the club.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) talks with head athletic trainer Matt Lucero, pitching coach Mike Maddux and manager Bruce Bochy during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
The latter has become a large priority, though, as the Rangers have leaned further into meritocracy in an attempt to save their season before it’s too late to do so.
Texas Rangers designated hitter Jake Burger (21) smiles as he high fives second baseman Marcus Semien (2) after winning a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Cardinals 8-1.
Production, at this stage, outweighs pedigree. García’s scale had reached an uneven balance that tipped too far in one direction for an already underwhelming offense to withstand.
Texas Rangers first baseman Josh Smith (8) rounds the bases after a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
“It’s going to be performance-driven at this point,” Rangers President of Baseball Operations Chris Young said Sunday morning.
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) high fives second baseman Marcus Semien (2) after scoring a run during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
García, who’s slashed .173/.218/.346 with 19 strikeouts in his last 15 games, has been temporarily reassigned to the bench in part to give the slumping slugger a mental break and offer him low-leverage opportunities to rediscover his swing. The bottom line is, though, that the Rangers can no longer afford empty at bats if a different player can step in and provide legitimate contributions.
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) strikes out swinging during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
His .670 OPS since the start of 2024 ranks 116th out of the 129 batters who qualify for the league leaderboard. His 40.4% chase rate this season is a career-high and his .371 slugging percentage is the lowest he’s charted since he became an everyday player.
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) safely reaches first base after a throw from third baseman pulls St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras (40) off the base during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
The 32-year-old will have had five full days off when the Rangers begin their multi-city road trip Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rangers have not yet outlined a return plan for García but are willing to wait until he’s made the necessary mechanical changes that can “get the best out of him” according to Young.
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) rounds third base as he scores a run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
“We’ve got some ideas,” Young said. “We need him to commit to some of these changes that we think will get him back to the ‘23 version of himself and help him be the player we know he can be.”
Texas Rangers first baseman Josh Smith (8) hits a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
Performance will dictate who plays and who doesn’t play until then. Rookie outfielder Alejandro Osuna has reached base in each of the seven games that he’s played since the Rangers promoted him to the majors last Sunday. Sam Haggerty, a non-roster invitee this spring who stuck around in the organization, has a .722 OPS in 18 games since the Rangers selected his contract from the minor leagues and brings a small-ball play style that may fit this dormant offense well at the moment.
Texas Rangers left fielder Alejandro Osuna (19) bunts and reaches first base on a fielders choice during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
Osuna started in left field in Sunday’s win vs. the Cardinals and Haggerty started in right. Outfielder Evan Carter, who’s missed 14 games with a right quad strain, is expected to be activated off the injured list prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. He could theoretically platoon with Haggerty and Osuna if the Rangers wish to leave Wyatt Langford in center field for the time being.
Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (2) tosses his bat after earning a walk during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
“Obviously if [García’s] feeling good and able to make these changes and contribute [he’ll return to the lineup],” Young said, “but a lot of it is performance driven and who’s going well right now.”
during the XX inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (2) throws to first for an out during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux jogs onto the field to talk with relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong and catcher Jonah Heim during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) singles to center during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
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Texas Rangers right fielder Sam Haggerty (0) scores a run on a double by first baseman Josh Smith during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (2) singles to left field during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (2) steals second base ahead of the tag from St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) during the second inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
Texas Rangers center fielder Wyatt Langford (36) makes a catch for an out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Arlington.
