Rangers' DH Joc Pederson seeks redemption after career-worst 2025 season

The veteran slugger spent the offseason getting his mind and body right to bounce back from a dismal year at the plate.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson is looking to rebound from the worst season of his 10-year MLB career in 2025, when he hit just .181 with a .614 OPS. Pederson says he wasn't embarrassed by his performance, but rather motivated to improve through an offseason regimen that included working with the team's hitting coach, losing 15-20 pounds, and experimenting with a shorter bat to get back to a more "vertical" swing path.

Why it matters

Pederson's bounce-back is crucial for the Rangers' offense, which struggled mightily in 2025. If the veteran slugger can return to form, it would provide a major boost to the lineup. However, at 33 years old, Pederson is running out of chances to prove he can still be a productive everyday player.

The details

Pederson says he did everything he could to prepare for the 2025 season, but the results just weren't there. He suffered a broken wrist in May that cost him two months, and his overall numbers were dismal - a .181 batting average, .285 on-base percentage, .328 slugging percentage, and .614 OPS. To get back on track, Pederson worked with Rangers hitting coach Justin Viele on adjusting his swing mechanics, using a shorter 33-inch bat to create more "tilt" and a more vertical bat path. Pederson also got in better shape, losing 15-20 pounds in the offseason.

  • Pederson suffered a broken wrist in May 2025 that cost him two months.
  • Pederson's .181 batting average in 2025 was the lowest in the majors for any player with at least 300 plate appearances.

The players

Joc Pederson

A 33-year-old designated hitter for the Texas Rangers who is looking to bounce back from the worst season of his 10-year MLB career in 2025.

Skip Schumaker

The manager of the Texas Rangers, who had some good conversations with Pederson during his recovery time and is hoping the veteran slugger can return to being a "feared" hitter.

Justin Viele

The hitting coach for the Texas Rangers, who worked with Pederson in the offseason on adjusting his swing mechanics to get back to a more "vertical" bat path.

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What they’re saying

“Last year was a tough year, all around. I was injured for, I think, the longest time in my career. I had the worst year of my career. We didn't make the playoffs. We didn't win a lot of games. So, it was a failure in a lot of aspects. But with failure comes lots of opportunities to learn and figure out how that doesn't happen again.”

— Joc Pederson (dallasnews.com)

“I just want all these guys who weren't happy with their seasons to get back to who they are. I want him to be feared again, but to be the relaxed version of him. Knowing he's a dude is going to be big for us, because he's a really good player.”

— Skip Schumaker, Manager (dallasnews.com)

What’s next

Pederson will continue to work with the Rangers' hitting coach Justin Viele during spring training to refine his swing mechanics and get ready for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Joc Pederson's bounce-back efforts this offseason show his commitment to regaining his form and proving he can still be a productive everyday player. If he's able to return to his previous levels of production, it would provide a major boost to the Rangers' offense and their chances of contending in 2026.