The Texas Rangers didn't make a blockbuster move this past offseason, but they did acquire outfielder Brandon Nimmo and cash considerations from the New York Mets in exchange for infielder Marcus Semien in November. That move has paid off so far, as the 33-year-old entered Wednesday's game against the Colorado Rockies slashing .272/.353/.422 with five homers and 16 RBIs over 46 contests.
Nimmo's production hasn't been far off from his typical output, as he also entered Wednesday with a career .262/.363/.437 slash line over 1,112 games. The 6-foot-1, 206-pounder debuted for the Mets in 2016 and stayed with them through the 2025 campaign.
However, Nimmo now has to deal with an injury. The veteran left Wednesday's game in the fifth inning after hitting a single due to right hamstring tightness, per The Dallas Morning News's Shawn McFarland.
UPDATE: Manager Skip Schumaker explained the decision to remove Nimmo postgame, via MLB.com's Kennedi Landry.
“I just saw him running down the line, and it didn't look right,” he said. “I asked him if he could go first to third or first to home if a double was hit in the gap. He didn't answer me, and I said, ‘Okay, that's good.’ He wanted to continue to play, but in these elements, I just wasn't ready to push it. I'm guessing he's going to tell you he's good to go.”
Nimmo said that he "anticipates no problems" and hopes to return on Friday, insisting that Wednesday's exit was "precautionary."
Rangers Must Hope That Brandon Nimmo's Ailment Doesn't Linger
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
This isn't the first time that Nimmo has had this issue this season, as he also left early against the New York Yankees on April 29 and the Detroit Tigers on May 2, per McFarland. He then sat out the next two games after May 2.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, as they are easy to re-aggravate. They are also separated into different levels, with Grade 1 being a mild injury that can heal in less than a week, whereas Grades 2 and 3 can take months, per The Cleveland Clinic.
It would be damaging to Texas's offense if Nimmo has a Grade 2 or 3 ailment, as he's one of its most reliable hitters. The Wyoming native entered Wednesday leading the team with a .353 OBP and third with a .775 OPS.
Nimmo's backup in right field is Alejandro Osuna, who pinch-ran for him on Wednesday. The 23-year-old entered Wednesday slashing .231/.394/.250 with seven RBIs across 23 games. He debuted for the Rangers last season and slashed .212/.313/.278 with two homers and 15 RBIs over 63 contests.
If Nimmo misses extended time, it'll put even more pressure on struggling players like shortstop Corey Seager and center fielder Evan Carter. Seager, who's on the 10-day injured list with lower back inflammation, is slashing .179/.286/.353 with seven homers and 20 RBIs over 42 games, while Carter entered Wednesday slashing .166/.287/.303 with five homers and 13 RBIs across 48 contests. Seager is a five-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP, so Texas can't afford to have a player of that caliber struggle the whole year.
After Wednesday's game, the Rangers will finish their road trip against the Los Angeles Angels before hosting the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals. Friday's game against the Angels starts at 9:38 p.m. ET.
