Bruce Bochy tells K&C Masterpiece Rangers are sending Ezequiel Durán to Triple-A

The Texas Rangers haven’t gotten what they’ve needed from Ezequiel Durán this season, and now he’s ticketed for Round Rock.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said in his weekly interview on K&C Masterpiece that Texas is sending the utilityman down and calling up Derek Hill ahead of Wednesday's series finale in Milwaukee. The Brewers have won the first two games of the series.

“Durán, we optioned him down,” Bochy said. “We want him to go down and just get his game back. He provided a big bat for us last year, provided slug. So, Hill will be joining us, he’ll be playing center field tonight. Yeah, we’re always looking to see what we can do. Derek has been throwing up some big numbers in Triple-A, gives us speed. We’re looking for something to spark us.”

A super-utility player who can help just about anywhere on the field, Durán was an essential part of last year’s World Series winning team. He provided steady defense everywhere and a bat that offered pop, but things have been quiet for him this season at the plate. The 25-year-old is hitting .256 this season with a .618 OPS, driving in just 13 runs with eight extra-base hits this season – six doubles and a pair of homers. His trip to the minors will be his first since 2022.

Hill, who has had stints in the majors each of the last five seasons with three different teams, has played in five games this season for the Rangers, going 2-for-9 with a stolen base. He’s tortured Triple-A pitching though, batting .350 in Round Rock with a 1.046 OPS thanks to eight homers, four triples and 12 doubles. His offense translating to the majors would be a boon for a Rangers team scuffling at the plate.