The Texas Rangers are dealing with another setback involving Corey Seager. The concern extends beyond a single injured-list move.
After finally getting their franchise shortstop back from the concussion-injured list last week, Texas will once again be without him after another injury interrupted his season. Seager was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with lower back inflammation, while the Rangers activated Josh Smith.
The move highlights an increasingly frustrating trend for Texas. One of the club's most important players has struggled to stay on the field consistently throughout 2026.
The transaction came less than a week after Seager returned from the concussion-injured list. He appeared in four games before another setback forced him back onto the injured list.
The 32-year-old is in his fifth season with Texas after signing a 10-year, $325 million contract before the 2022 campaign. A five-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, and two-time World Series MVP, Seager remains one of baseball's premier shortstops when healthy.
Smith now returns to the active roster as Texas searches for ways to replace Seager's production. His versatility gives the Rangers another infield option, but replacing Seager's bat in the middle of the lineup is a much bigger challenge.
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Texas has remained in the American League playoff race despite dealing with injuries throughout the roster. Losing Seager again removes one of the club's most dangerous left-handed hitters during a critical stretch of the season.
For the Rangers, the troubling development is not simply another injured-list transaction. It is the growing reality that Seager has struggled to stay healthy this season, making his availability one of the club's biggest questions heading into the second half.
