Rangers vs Royals: In-Game Updates, Starting Lineups, Injury Report

Spring training baseball gets underway as the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals face off in Cactus League action.

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Baseball is back!

Cactus League action gets underway Friday, as the Texas Rangers square off with the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium.

Kansas City Royals (0-0) at Texas Rangers (0-0)

Friday, March 18, 2021
1:05 PM MST (3:05 PM CST)
Surprise Stadium | Surprise, AZ

Probables:
KC: RHP Jon Heasley (0-0, -.-- ERA)
vs
TEX: LHP Jake Latz (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Broadcast

Texas Rangers
Radio: 105.3 The Fan (delay)

Kansas City Royals
Radio: KCSP

Texas Rangers Starting Lineup

1. 2B Marcus Semien
2. SS Corey Seager
3. 1B Nathaniel Lowe
4. RF Kole Calhoun
5. LF Nick Solak
6. C Jose Trevino
7. CF Leody Taveras
8. DH Eli White
9. 3B Davis Wendzel

Kansas City Royals Starting Lineup

1. RF Whit Merrifield
2. 2B Nicky Lopez
3. C Salvador Perez
4. LF Andrew Benintendi
5. 1B Carlos Santana
6. DH Hunter Dozier
7. SS Adalberto Mondesi
8. 3B Bobby Witt Jr.
9. CF Michael A. Taylor

Rangers Pitching Schedule

• LHP Jake Latz
• LHP Cody Bradford*
• RHP Jack Leiter*
• RHP Matt Bush
• RHP Daniel Robert
• RHP Jesus Tinoco

* - minor league camp

Rangers Injury Update

• RHPs José Leclerc and Jonathan Hernández are "in a good spot" in their rehab from Tommy John surgery. Both are expected to return in mid-to-late June, with Leclerc slightly ahead of Hernández.
• 3B Sherten Apostel (knee surgery) is in his baseball rehab training, and is 10-14 days away from full-speed baseball activity.
• OF Eli White (elbow surgery) is ahead of schedule in his throwing program. He is able to hit in spring training games and could return to the outfield next week. He is able to throw to bases at the moment.
• C Sam Huff, LHP John King and OF Steele Walker are all fully cleared with no limitations. For Huff, that includes his ability to catch.

LIVE In-Game Updates:

• 4:20 p.m.: Game ends in a 5-5 tie after nine innings.
• 3:32 p.m.: Clay Dungan reaches on a bases-loaded infield single. Game tied 5-5.
• 3:17 p.m.: Nick Pratto takes Jack Leiter deep for a two-run homer in the seventh inning. Rangers lead 5-4.
• 3:03 p.m.: Rangers top prospect Jack Leiter strikes out the side in order in the sixth inning. Rangers lead 5-2.
• 2:52 p.m.: Nathaniel Lowe hits a two-run home run to the opposite field in the 5th inning. Rangers lead 5-2.
• 2:12 p.m.: Adalberto Mondesi hits a solo home run for the Royals. Rangers lead 3-2.
• 2:05 p.m.: Corey Seager blasts a three-run home run in the 3rd inning. Rangers lead 3-1.
• 1:51 p.m.: Cody Bradford pitches a scoreless frame in the top of the third inning. Royals lead 1-0.
• 1:41 p.m.: Kole Calhoun draws a walk, but the Rangers are held scoreless in the second inning. Cody Bradford is now in to pitch the third inning for Texas. Royals lead 1-0.
• 1:35 p.m.: Latz gives up an infield single to Bobby Witt, Jr., but pitches a scoreless second. Royals lead 1-0.
• 1:26 p.m.: Corey Seager hits a one-out single, but Nathaniel Lowe grounds into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. Royals lead 1-0.
• 1:21 p.m.: The Royals take the lead on a Carlos Santana RBI single. A baserunning blunder on another two-hit hit leads to a 9-3-6 out to end the inning. Royals lead 1-0.
• 1:08 p.m.: Rangers starter Jake Latz fires strike one to Whit Merrifield and we're underway. 

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