Brandon Nimmo to Make Rangers Spring Training Debut Against Brazil

The Texas Rangers will host Team Brazil in a World Baseball Classic exhibition with two big stars joining in the lineup.

Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo. | Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images

The Texas Rangers return to their spring training home in Surprise, Ariz., to host Team Brazil in a World Baseball Classic exhibition game on Wednesday.

The Rangers (7-5) were off on Tuesday, their first off day of spring training since their arrival on Feb. 10. Team Brazil is gearing up for pool play in the WBC. Texas is starting two of its biggest starts to get their work in.

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Outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Mets in November for Marcus Semien, will start in right field. He has been on a slower ramp-up than other veterans for game action, a path he used the past few seasons in New York to great impact.

The other is pitcher Jacob deGrom, who has been on his own ramp-up since he arrived on Feb. 10. He’s on a similar schedule to last year when he made his first spring start in early March.

The game will be at Billy Parker Stadium in Surprise, Ariz., beginning at 1:05 p.m. mountain and 2:05 p.m. central time.

Here is a breakdown of the game, including the starting pitcher, lineup, injuries and other notes.

Texas Rangers vs. Team Brazil

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker stands on the mound with pitcher Robert Garcia. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

At Billy Parker Stadium, Surprise, Ariz.

Time: 1:05 p.m. MT/2:05 pm CT

TV/Radio: None.

Records: Texas: 7-5.

Rangers Starting Pitcher

Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom. | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

RHP Jacob deGrom: 0-0, 0.00 ERA

deGrom will get either three or four starts in Surprise, depending on how the Rangers want to slot him in the opening day rotation. He’s coming off a 2025 in which he was the American League comeback player of the year, his first full season after 2023 Tommy John surgery and his best season since 2019.

Rangers Batting Order

RF Brandon Nimmo

CF Evan Carter

1B Jake Burger

2B Josh Smith

C Danny Jansen

LF Mark Canha

3B Tyler Wade

SS Ezequiel Duran

DH Aaron Zavala

Rangers Injuries

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

3B Josh Jung: Has a Grade 1 adductor strain and will be shut down until at least March 10.

INF Justin Foscue: Has a left hamstring injury and will be shut down until at least March 10.

INF Cody Freeman: Freeman has a lumbar stress reaction and will be out for the next several weeks

LHP Cody Bradford: Bradford is throwing two bullpen sessions this week as he continues his ramp-up from internal brace surgery on his left elbow.

LHP Jordan Montgomery: The 2023 World Series hero is recovering from Tommy John surgery and hopes to be ready for the Majors by the All-Star break.

Texas Rangers Spring Training Schedule, Results

Texas Rangers second baseman Tyler Wade. | Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Bold: denotes home games; times CT/MT; SS – Split Squad games; game times subject to change.

Feb. 20: Kansas City 7, Texas 3

Feb. 21: Texas 3, Chicago Cubs 2

Feb. 22 Texas 9, Colorado 5

Feb. 23 Texas 6, Los Angeles Angels 0

Feb. 24 Arizona 6, Texas 4

Feb. 25 Texas 11, Cleveland 4

Feb. 26 Brewers 5, Rangers 1

Feb. 26 Athletics 7, Rangers 3

Feb. 27 Chicago White Sox 3, Texas 1

Feb. 28 Texas 7, Los Angeles Dodgers (ss) 6

March 1 Texas 9, Seattle 4

March 2 Texas 3, Cleveland 1

March 4 vs. Brazil WBC, 1:05 p.m. MT/2:05 pm CT

March 5 vs. Kansas City Royals, 1:05 p.m. MT/2:05 pm CT, Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 6 vs. Seattle Mariners, 1:05 p.m. MT/2:05 pm CT

March 7 at San Francisco Giants (ss), 1:05 p.m. MT/2:05 pm CT, Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 8 vs. Los Angeles Angels (ss), 1:05 pm MT/3:05 pm CT, Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 9 at San Diego Padres, 1:10 pm MT/3:05 pm CT

March 10 vs. Chicago Cubs, 1:05 pm MT/3:05 pm CT

March 12 vs. Athletics, 1:05 pm MT/3:05 pm CT

March 13 at Colorado Rockies, 1:10 pm MT/2:10 pm CT

March 14 vs. San Diego Padres (ss), 1:05 pm MT/3:05 pm CT, TV: RSN; Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 14 at Cincinnati Reds (ss), TBA

March 15 at Los Angeles Dodgers (ss), 1:05 p.m. MT/3:05 pm CT, Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 16 vs. Chicago White Sox, 5:05 pm MT/7:05 pm CT, TV: CW33; Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 18 vs. Kansas City Royals, 5:05 pm MT/7:05 pm CT, TV: CW33; Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 19 at Milwaukee Brewers, 6:10 pm MT/8:10 pm CT, Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 20 Rangers prospects vs. Royals prospects, 1:05 pm MT/3:05 pm CT, RSN

March 20 vs. San Francisco Giants (ss), 5:05 pm MT/7:05 pm CT, TV: RSN; Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 21 at Arizona Diamondbacks, TBA, Radio: 105.3 The Fan

March 23 Kansas City Royals, Globe Life Field, 7:05 p.m. CT, TV: CW33; Radio: 105.3 The Fan/1270 KFLC-AM

March 24 Kansas City Royals, Globe Life Field, 1:05 p.m. CT, TV: CW33; Radio: 1270 KFLC-AM

NOTE: Surprise is one hour behind Texas time through March 7 (Mountain Time) and two hours behind beginning March 8 (Pacific Time)

Cactus League Home Games Played at, Surprise Stadium/Billy Parker Field, Surprise, AZ