Rangers' Marc Church: Opening season in Round Rock
Rotowire
The Rangers optioned Church to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.
Church made his Cactus League debut during Sunday's game against the Dodgers, when he struck out one batter and was charged with two runs (one earned) on two hits in one inning while tossing 19 pitches (13 strikes). He missed the majority of spring training while recovering from a teres major strain. That extended absence, coupled with the fact that he has minor-league options, will lead to Church opening the 2026 season in Triple-A, though he should see some major-league action when the Rangers need to bolster their bullpen.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Makes spring debut
Rotowire
Church (lat) struck out a batter and was charged with two runs (one earned) on two hits over an inning of relief Sunday in the Rangers' 5-3 loss to the Dodgers in Cactus League play.
After being brought along slowly in spring training while he recovered from a right lat strain, Church finally completed his throwing progression and received clearance to make his Cactus League debut Sunday. The right-hander pumped in 13 of his 19 pitches for strikes, but he ended up taking the loss after surrendering a tie-breaking RBI single to Andy Pages. Though Church is one of the more talented relief arms on Texas' 40-man roster, the time he missed in camp along with the fact that he has a minor-league option remaining could hurt his chances of winning a spot in the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Ready for live work
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Church (lat) is slated to throw live bullpen sessions Tuesday and Friday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Church is working his way back from a teres major strain and could be cleared for game action by early next week if he responds well to his upcoming live sessions. The 24-year-old righty has made just six career appearances in the majors, but he boasts one of the more electric arms in the organization and could be a factor in the late innings for the Rangers later in 2026 if he can stay healthy and keep the free passes in check.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Nursing lat strain
Rotowire
Church will be behind schedule to begin spring training while he recovers from a right lat strain, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Church dealt with lat issues for a large portion of the 2025 campaign, as well. The expectation is that he will be ready to throw off a mound again sometime in March, but Church's status for Opening Day is uncertain. Church has some of the best upside out of anyone in the Rangers' shaky bullpen, but he'll have to get healthy first.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Sidelined at Triple-A
Rotowire
Church is on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Round Rock with an oblique injury, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
It was reported April 22 that he would be shut down for 7-to-10 days. Church was optioned to Triple-A on April 16 after walking more batters (six) than he struck out (five) in 4.2 innings with the big club. The 24-year-old relief prospect showed roughly the same velocity on his pitches as in 2024, using his 87 mph slider slightly more than his 96 mph fastball. He could still figure into the high-leverage mix in a year or two.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rangers optioned Church to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
Church drew some buzz during spring training and manager Bruce Bochy even floated his name as a potential closer candidate. However, Church struggled to throw strikes in the early going with a 5:6 K:BB over 4.2 frames, resulting in a move to the minors. Jacob Latz was called up from Triple-A to replace Church in the bullpen.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Possible closer candidate
Rotowire
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy mentioned Church when asked recently about potential candidates at closer, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports.
The top two candidates to close for Texas look to be Chris Martin and Robert Garcia, but Bochy's willingness to throw Church's name into the mix is notable. The skipper said he sees Church as being a closer "sometime down the road here" and "it could be when we break camp." Church missed much of the 2024 season with a right shoulder strain, but he's healthy now and has been clocked in the upper 90s this spring, having allowed two runs with a 5:1 K:BB in three Cactus League innings.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Starting up rehab assignment
Rotowire
Church (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Hickory on Sunday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
A member of the Rangers' 40-man roster, Church has yet to make his MLB debut and has been out since mid-April with a right lat strain. He remains on Triple-A Round Rock's 60-day injured list and will likely require multiple rehab appearances in the lower levels of the minors before he rejoins the Rangers' top affiliate.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Sidelined by shoulder strain
Rotowire
Church was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Round Rock with a right shoulder strain Thursday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Church was in the running for a spot in the big-league bullpen during spring training, though he was ultimately optioned to the minors. He's allowed two earned runs across 4.2 innings while posting a 5:3 K:BB with Triple-A Round Rock. It's unclear how long Church will be sidelined.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Won't crack Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Church was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday, Michael Bier of Foul Territory reports.
Church appeared to be on track to make the big-league roster given his 2.53 ERA and 0.94 WHIP across 10.2 innings during spring training, but the club announced Monday that he's headed for the minor leagues. The right-hander's impressive spring is unlikely to go unnoticed, and he should factor into the bullpen mix at some point this year.
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Rangers' Marc Church: Reassigned to MiLB camp
Rotowire
Church was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Rangers on Sunday.
Church made 37 appearances for High-A Hickory and Double-A Midland in 2022, and he registered a 4.22 ERA with an impressive 78:14 K:BB in 49 innings. The right-hander will likely begin 2023 with Triple-A Round Rock.
