After a disastrous first season with the Texas Rangers, designated hitter Joc Pederson has turned things around in year two. Pederson inked a two-year contract worth $37 million two winters ago and is finally starting to live up to it.
Across 136 appearances this year, the 34-year-old veteran has posted a .235 batting average, .329 on-base percentage, .816 OPS, 26 home runs and 53 RBIs. Pederson has primarily crushed right-handed pitching and has provided consistent power for the Rangers lineup throughout the season.
Pederson and the Rangers are entering Tuesday’s matchup with the Boston Red Sox sitting 1.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League wild card spot. With 12 games remaining, Texas has a legitimate path back to October baseball.
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Unfortunately, Pederson’s availability is currently unclear. He missed Sunday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks after being struck in the left hand by a fastball during Saturday’s game.
Initial X-rays came back negative, but a follow-up scan on Tuesday revealed he has suffered a small fracture.
Pederson spoke with reporters ahead of first pitch Tuesday and revealed he intends to play through the issue once the swelling goes down over the next couple of days, via Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports.
The decision is understandable but carries real risk. Pederson is choosing to play through the fracture because if he lets it rest and heal properly his season is almost certainly over, regardless of whether Texas makes the postseason.
After struggling in his first year with the organization, he likely also feels a sense of obligation to push through and contribute when the stakes are highest.
If Pederson misses the entire series against the Red Sox, he will look to return for Texas’ weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays, one of the teams currently ahead of the Rangers in the AL wild card standings.
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