Both left fielder Wyatt Langford and third baseman Josh Jung — two key pieces of the Rangers’ present and future — independently described Ecker’s dismissal as a surprise. It’s the first in-season staff change that either of them have been apart of during their young major league careers.

The Texas Rangers have made the shocking decision to hire former Seattle Mariners infielder Bret Boone as the team’s new hitting coach. The Rangers had a need for a new hitting instructor after they fired offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker following a three-game series against Seattle on Sunday.

Former big league infielder Bret Boone has been hired as a hitting coach for the Texas Rangers, who are last in the American League in runs scored.