CLEBURNE, Tx — A mix of major league experience, fresh faces and fan favorites make up the 2026 Cleburne Railroaders as the team prepares to embark on a 100-game season.
Led for the third consecutive season by 12-year MLB veteran Pete Incaviglia, the season begins Thursday, May 14, at La Moderna Field with first pitch scheduled for 7:06 p.m.. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks come to town for the lone game featured on Opening Day in the American Association.
All American Association games can be streamed for free on aabaseball.tv.
“It’s a marathon not a sprint,” Incaviglia said. “I just want to see our players play the game the right way, with a lot of energy. I think fans are going to be well entertained.”
Three players return from the 2025 squad, all pitchers: right-handers Taylor Broadway and Aaron Mishoulam, and left-hander Ben Hampton. Several players with major league experience will anchor the Railroaders’ 2026 roster.
Right-hander Andrew Bellatti will be the game one starter for Cleburne. Bellatti spent time with the Philadelphia Phillies, including recording the final three outs of a 7-0 win over the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series. Bellatti allowed no hits and struck out one batter in the appearance.
Veteran catcher Oscar Hernandez played for the Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks from 2015-20. Outfielder Chris Roller made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, while outfielder Cody Thomas debuted with the Athletics in 2023 and appeared in 19 games. Roller and Thomas both spent time in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Fan favorite Carter Aldrete returns after appearing in all 100 games for the Railroaders in 2024. Aldrete later joined the Athletics organization before returning to Cleburne for the 2026 season as an infielder.
Cleburne fans will also welcome back Delino DeShields Jr., who is expected to play second base in 2026. DeShields signed with the Railroaders in 2023 and appeared in 34 games, batting .291 with 34 RBIs, four home runs and 13 stolen bases.
DeShields was selected by the Houston Astros in the first round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft and owns a career .246 batting average in more than 1,800 major league at-bats. He debuted in the majors with the Texas Rangers in 2015 and later played for the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds.
Inclavigia mentioned his veteran core as a key to success in 2026.
“They’re just quality human beings,” Inclavigia said. “We’ve got several of those guys on this club, which I think we lacked last year. We lacked a little leadership in that clubhouse from our veteran players. That’s the biggest thing I see with us is that the players will police themselves, and I think the quality on the field is going to come from that.”
The Railroaders’ 2026 roster includes 12 Texas natives and players representing three countries: the United States, Venezuela and Cuba.
OPENING DAY
The Railroaders and Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks met in a three-game series in North Dakota last season, with Cleburne winning the finale 6-5. The teams also faced off in the Railroaders’ home-opening series in 2022.
Gates at La Moderna Field will open at 6 p.m. for Opening Day. The first 1,000 fans will receive Opening Day-themed T-shirts.
MATCHUP
Cleburne Railroaders (0-0) vs. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (0-0)
First pitch: 7:06 p.m. ct
Promotions: First 1,000 fans receive an Opening Day T-shirt; $4 Real American Beer 12-ounce cans available throughout the homestand
Watch: aabaseball.tv with Brad Allred (play-by-play) and Luke Backman (color commentary)
