Rangers Manager Praises New Starter MacKenzie Gore's Mentorship from Aces deGrom and Eovaldi

Skip Schumaker believes Gore will benefit greatly from learning from the Rangers' veteran pitching duo.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker is excited about the addition of left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore to the team's rotation, praising Gore's work ethic and the opportunity he has to learn from veteran aces Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Schumaker believes Gore, who was acquired in a five-for-one trade with the Washington Nationals, will only continue to improve by being mentored by deGrom and Eovaldi in the Rangers' clubhouse.

Why it matters

The Rangers are hoping Gore can take the next step in his development and become an elite starting pitcher, and having deGrom and Eovaldi as mentors could be a key factor in his progression. As the Rangers look to contend in the AL West, getting strong production from their starting rotation will be crucial.

The details

Schumaker praised Gore's work ethic and attention to detail, noting that the 26-year-old lefty approaches every drill and workout with intent. The Rangers manager believes Gore will greatly benefit from sitting next to deGrom and Eovaldi in the clubhouse, as he can learn from their experience and preparation routines. Schumaker cited his own experience with veteran pitchers like Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter when he was coming up in the Cardinals' system, and believes a similar dynamic can develop with Gore, deGrom, and Eovaldi.

  • The Rangers acquired Gore in a five-for-one trade with the Washington Nationals earlier this offseason.

The players

Skip Schumaker

The first-year manager of the Texas Rangers.

MacKenzie Gore

A 26-year-old left-handed pitcher acquired by the Rangers in a five-for-one trade with the Washington Nationals.

Jacob deGrom

The Rangers' ace starting pitcher who will serve as a mentor to Gore.

Nathan Eovaldi

The Rangers' other ace starting pitcher who will also mentor Gore.

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What they’re saying

“Mackenzie's a pro, that's the best way I can explain it. Every drill he does is with intent, whether it's the bullpen, weight room, training room. And he's sitting right to [Jacob] deGrom and Evo [Nathan Eovaldi] inside that clubhouse, which goes a long way.”

— Skip Schumaker, Texas Rangers Manager (Foul Territory)

“The clubhouse, the way it works, you can have really good coaches around, but when you have superstar, potential Hall of Fame players sitting right next to you in your same department, that goes a long way. I saw it firsthand when I was growing up in the Cardinals system with [Adam] Wainwright and [Chris] Carpenter and how that went, and I can see that happening right now [with deGrom and Eovaldi].”

— Skip Schumaker, Texas Rangers Manager (Foul Territory)

What’s next

The Rangers will be closely monitoring Gore's progress throughout spring training as he looks to solidify his spot in the starting rotation alongside deGrom and Eovaldi.

The takeaway

The Rangers are banking on Gore's proximity to two of the game's elite pitchers in deGrom and Eovaldi to help accelerate his development and turn him into a frontline starter. If the mentorship pays off, the Rangers could have one of the most formidable rotations in baseball.