Texas Rangers Star Returns After Month-Long Absence

The Texas Rangers have been doing just fine of late, sitting at the top of the American League West with a 25-16 record, winners of seven of their last 10 games. And they've been doing it all without the services of their $325M shortstop, Corey Seager, for the past month. The Rangers went 18-11 in his absence. 

Now Seager is expected to be activated for Tuesday's game, returning to a team that's established itself as an offensive force even without their top offensive weapon. 

Rangers column: Corey Seager should return to the lineup today. When he returns, he may just be one of the guys, not the only guy. A win-win for the Rangers and Seager: https://t.co/b3PP51JB8m

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) May 16, 2023

The hamstring strain Seager suffered on April 11th was bad timing, as he'd gotten off to a rollicking start to the season, batting .359 with a 1.008 OPS. The three-time All-Star will be welcomed back with open arms, but perhaps with a little less pressure on him to carry the offense.

Incredibly, the Rangers averaged 6.35 runs per game, the most in the majors, in the 29 games Seager missed going into Monday night, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. 

“He is still the guy, but he doesn’t have to be that guy for 162,” said first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. “We know he can win a game by himself, but this is a reminder it’s still a team game. I think that will help us. And I think it will be good for his psyche, too. I think it’s healthy for everybody all the way around.”

Seager is in the second year of his 10-year, $325M contract with Texas.

 Photo: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports