Joc Pederson
Breakdown
Performance
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April 6, 2026
Launches first home run
Pederson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a home run in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Cincinnati.
Analysis
Pederson halted an 0-for-16 stretch to start the season with a seventh-inning home run. It's been a frustrating start to 2026, the second straight season he's opened with a significant slump. In 2025, Pederson was batting .052 (3-for-58) after 20 games on his way to a .181 average and nine home runs over 96 games.
April 1, 2026
Idle against southpaw
Pederson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.
Analysis
The left-handed-hitting Pederson has now hit the bench for each of the Rangers' first three matchups versus southpaws, which doesn't come as a major surprise with the 33-year-old having produced a 79 wRC+ over 668 career plate appearances against lefties. Andrew McCutchen is expected to serve as Pederson's primary platoon mate this season, but Brandon Nimmo will be in the designated-hitter spot Wednesday while McCutchen draws his first start in right field.