2016 Texas Rangers Opening Day Roster

2016 Texas Rangers Opening Day roster:  With the Texas Rangers indicating that Phil Klein will be in the bullpen as the long man to start the season, we now know what the Opening Day roster for the 2016 Texas Rangers will be.

The final 25:

Catchers -- Robinson Chirinos, Bryan Holaday

Infielders -- Prince Fielder, Mitch Moreland, Rougned Odor, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre, Hanser Alberto

Outfielders -- Ian Desmond, Delino DeShields, Shin-Soo Choo, Ryan Rua, Justin Ruggiano

Starting Pitchers -- Cole Hamels, Martin Perez, Colby Lewis, Derek Holland

Bullpen -- Shawn Tolleson, Sam Dyson, Keone Kela, Jake Diekman, Tom Wilhelmsen, Tony Barnette, Andrew Faulkner, Phil Klein

It sounds like Chris Gimenez will be starting the season on the disabled list due to a leg infection.

Of course, this roster isn't likely to be in place for more than four games...Klein, who has options remaining, is expected to be sent down to AAA Round Rock prior to Game 5 in order for A.J. Griffin to be added to the active roster.  Griffin will need to be added to the 40 man roster, as well, and with no open spots, it seems likely than either Anthony Ranaudo or Alex Claudio will end up being designated for assignment.

Of course, this assumes that Klein will actually be dropped, and won't be used as the fifth starter.  The team hasn't made an official announcement on this issue, but Griffin appears to have won the job.  And this also assumes that the Rangers don't make an end-of-spring trade for a starting pitcher, such as the rumored "Rangers reliever for Indians starter" that we talked about a day or two ago.