Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy Temporarily Leaves Team
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As their season hangs on the brink, the Rangers are dealing with another loss: The temporary absence of manager Bruce Bochy. Bochy left the team on Wednesday to deal with a personal matter, President of Baseball Operations Chris Young said. The Rangers said the matter is not related to Bochy’s own health, which had been an issue during the latter stages of his tenure with the San Francisco Giants.
Bruce Bochy is not with team to attend to a personal matter. May be a day maybe two. Chris Young says he is fine medically
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 20, 2025
Interim Manager and Lineup Changes
Bench coach Luis Ureta will serve as interim manager in Bochy’s absence. Young indicated it’s possible Bochy could be back for Thursday’s series finale in Kansas City, but also left open the possibility he wouldn’t return until the Rangers return to Arlington to begin a weekend with the Cleveland Guardians.
Ureta, who managed the Marlins for two games at the end of last season after Skip Schumaker left the club for a family matter, said he sent Bochy a potential lineup. “He said: ‘You can do better than four hits,’ so go for it,” Ureta said, referencing the Rangers’ four-hit attack on Tuesday.
Unusual Lineup Tweaks
Ureta’s lineup did have a couple of unusual tweaks. It featured Wyatt Langford in the leadoff spot for just the fourth time this season and it featured Evan Carter starting against a lefty for the first time since May 5, 2024. Carter is just 5 for 56 (.089) in his career against lefties, but the Rangers were impressed with a couple of at-bats against lefty relievers in Toronto.
With the current roster construction, the Rangers didn’t have many other options against lefty Noah Cameron. All four position players not in the starting lineup are also left-handed hitters: Joc Pederson, Josh Smith, Alejandro Osuna and Rowdy Tellez. Tellez, Osuna and Pederson are a combined 0 for 9 vs. lefties with the Rangers this season; Smith has one hit in 14 at-bats against lefties in August. The Rangers are 10-22 against lefties this season, the second worst win percentage against lefties in the majors.
Prioritizing Defense
The Rangers are using neophyte outfielder Cody Freeman in right and valued Carter’s defense in center as an asset. “We are trying to prioritize defense a little,” Ureta said. “And maybe we get something there.”
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Rangers are facing a challenging situation with the temporary absence of their manager, Bruce Bochy. However, with the guidance of interim manager Luis Ureta, the team is making adjustments to their lineup and prioritizing defense. As the season hangs in the balance, the Rangers are looking to make the most of their current roster and come out strong in their upcoming games.
FAQs
Q: Why is Bruce Bochy temporarily leaving the team?
A: Bochy is leaving the team to deal with a personal matter, which is not related to his own health.
Q: Who will be the interim manager in Bochy’s absence?
A: Bench coach Luis Ureta will serve as the interim manager.
Q: What changes can we expect to see in the Rangers’ lineup?
A: The Rangers have made some unusual tweaks to their lineup, including featuring Wyatt Langford in the leadoff spot and Evan Carter starting against a lefty.
Q: How can I stay up-to-date with the latest Rangers news?
A: You can find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News and sign up for their newsletter to get the latest news and updates.
