With the AL West division still firmly within grasp, the Texas Rangers are getting a major injection of star power ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The team announced a series of transactions on Thursday, with the most significant being the activation of shortstop Corey Seager from the 7-day concussion IL. Seager, 32, suffered the injury in a collision with Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen back on June 11. He was placed on the 7-day IL on June 15, retroactive to June 12, and missed 12 total games during that span. The Rangers went 4-8 without Seager in the lineup.
The five-time MLB All-Star has struggled to find his groove this year. In 47 games, Seager has slashed just .186/.284/.373, with nine home runs and 24 RBI. At this rate, Seager is on pace for the lowest OPS of his career, with a batting average and slugging percentage that are both more than 100 basis points lower than his career average.
Seager is rejoining the team at a perfect time as the club embarks on a set of very winnable series. Starting Thursday in Toronto, the Rangers will then take on the Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Angels. Heading into Thursday's action, the Rangers sit in a three-way tie for second place in the AL West division, despite being four games below .500. Those same teams are also just a single game back of the final AL Wild Card spot.
ALSO SEE:
- NRFI and YRFI MLB Bets Today: Best First Inning Predictions for Thursday, June 25
- Best MLB Prop Bets Today: Top Player Prop Predictions for Thursday, June 25
Seager's return to the lineup will give an immediate boost to the infield defense. If his historical averages are any indication, Seager should see some positive regression at the plate as well. He is still third on the Rangers in home runs despite missing 33 of the team's games so far this year.
In a corresponding move, the Rangers placed infielder Cody Freeman on the 10-day IL with a herniated disc in his back. Freeman was recalled to the big-league team on June 13, but has not played since Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres. The Rangers also released infielder Blaine Crim.
