The Texas Rangers announced Monday the hiring of former major league infielder Bret Boone as the club's new hitting coach. The move follows the team's decision to dismiss offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker a day earlier.
Boone's hiring marks his first role on a major league coaching staff. He is scheduled to join the Rangers Tuesday ahead of their series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
The Rangers currently rank last in the American League in runs scored and have struggled offensively this season. The team's collective batting line is .228/.285/.359, ranking near the bottom of major league baseball in multiple categories.
The offensive struggles prompted the change from Ecker, who had been with the team for three years. Boone, a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner during his playing career, takes over leadership of the hitting instruction.
The decision to hire Bret Boone came about unexpectedly, according to the former player. He recently ran into Michael Young, a former Rangers player now with the team, at a college event. That conversation led to manager Bruce Bochy reaching out to Boone about the coaching position.
Boone, 56, accepted the role and his deal runs through the end of the 2025 season, per Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com. He will work alongside assistant hitting coaches Justin Viele and Seth Conner.
In addition to the coaching staff change, the Rangers made roster moves on Monday. Outfielder Leody Taveras was reportedly placed on outright waivers. Taveras had been a regular player but was hitting .241 this season.
President of baseball operations Chris Young also announced the team plans to recall outfielder Evan Carter from Triple-A Round Rock before Tuesday's game. Carter was a key contributor during the team's 2023 World Series championship season but dealt with injuries in 2024.
Carter has been hitting .221 with three homers and six steals in Triple-A this year. His return aims to provide a boost to the struggling lineup alongside the new hitting coach.
"If there’s a guy to get back on the field for — for the first time in a long time for me,” Boone said of manager Bruce Bochy, “Bruce Bochy is No. 1 on my list.”
