Marcus Semien continues to solidify his role as the Texas Rangers' leadoff hitter, starting in 326 out of 341 games under manager Bruce Bochy. While Semien's place in the lineup seems secure, the emergence of Evan Carter raises questions about the future. Carter, recovering from injury, possesses the attributes of a classic leadoff man — speed and plate discipline. Meanwhile, Semien's power could be better utilized further down the order.

Despite a shaky 2023 season, Semien's track record suggests he may rebound. However, Bochy's openness to adjusting the lineup could provide a fresh perspective. The Rangers will experiment during spring training to see how both players fit into the overall structure, weighing Semien's power against Carter's potential as a leadoff hitter.

Nathan Eovaldi is back with the Texas Rangers, and he's refining his craft with a new pitch this spring. In his recent Cactus League opener, he unveiled a running two-seam fastball, which is expected to enhance his pitching arsenal that already includes a four-seam fastball, splitter, cutter, slider, and curveball. Despite a shaky debut where he allowed two runs on two hits, Eovaldi remains optimistic about the new pitch's potential.

His focus on fine-tuning the two-seamer during the offseason is indicative of his commitment to improvement. Eovaldi aims to use the pitch strategically to expand his effectiveness on the mound and build on last year's performance. Manager Bruce Bochy praised Eovaldi for utilizing all his pitches and throwing strikes, highlighting his value in the Rangers' rotation.

Alan Trejo made his mark in Texas Rangers spring training history by being the first player to utilize the Automated Ball Strike (ABS) replay challenge system. In a 5-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, Trejo challenged a strike call during the eighth inning, but the review confirmed the umpire's call, resulting in a strikeout. Manager Bruce Bochy found the challenge entertaining, noting the quick pace of the review.

The game featured several notable performances, including pitcher Dane Dunning, who showed promise by throwing two scoreless innings. However, Leody Taveras continued to struggle against left-handers, grounding out and flying out in his at-bats. Alejandro Osuna also had a mixed performance, making a base-running mistake but redeeming himself with a sliding catch. As the Rangers prepare for the upcoming season, their ability to utilize the ABS system and address player performances will be crucial.