The Texas Rangers have been riding a hot streak that makes the standings look almost too neat to question. Six straight wins, first place in the AL West, and a little more daylight between themselves and .500 - on the surface, everything points in one direction. But the latest stretch has also come with a string of concerns that could turn this from a feel-good run into a mess in a hurry.
Corey Seager’s night ended before it really began. After returning from a concussion that was labeled “minor” but kept him out for 12 games - far longer than the seven-game minimum tied to the specialized IL designation - the Rangers had been easing him back with a careful workload.
That plan didn’t survive long. Seager was pulled before his first at-bat with back tightness, an issue he said surfaced during warmups.
"During warmups, so hopefully it's just a flare-up, and you didn't go out and push it and do anything stupid during the game. So hopefully I feel better tomorrow and kind of go from there, but kind of gotta see how you wake up tomorrow," Seager said.
His recent stretch has only added to the uncertainty. Before the concussion, he had already missed 19 games because of lower back inflammation beginning May 18.
After coming back June 5, he played only five games before going down again, and he has hit just .182/.292/.374 when available. The Rangers have not yet said whether another IL stint is coming, though updates are expected today.
Josh Smith was also removed from the lineup for Round Rock last night, which could hint at a call-up if Seager is shelved again.
Brandon Nimmo is another name Texas is waiting on. He sprained the A/C joint in his left shoulder when he slammed into the wall making a big catch to help seal the Rangers’ win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. He sat Monday against Cleveland, and after being told more information would come yesterday, he was out again last night with no new clarity on what the testing showed or whether the IL will be involved.
Nimmo had been swinging it better lately, and the underlying numbers back up the idea that his results have lagged behind his quality of contact. If he and Seager both end up on the shelf with Wyatt Langford already on the IL because of a left hamstring strain, Texas’ offense could get thin fast.
Amid all that, Chris Young made a move that could help the pitching staff right away. The Rangers dealt 2024 14th-round pick catcher Ben Hartl to the Chicago White Sox for Triple-A reliever Ben Peoples. It’s a swap of Bens, but the pitcher coming back may be the more meaningful piece.
Peoples is a 25-year-old right-hander who has handled Triple-A well this season. In 29 appearances, he has thrown 37 2/3 innings with a 2.39 ERA and 3.61 FIP. He has struck out 30% of the hitters he’s faced, though the walks remain a problem at 14%.
Given what Texas gave up - a 23-year-old catcher hitting .218/.369/.317 at Hi-A - the deal looks like a solid return, and Peoples could be in the big leagues soon. The Rangers have been burning through arms during a brutal 15-games-in-15-days stretch, and the bottom of the bullpen has been shaky enough to force heavy work onto Jakob Junis, who left Monday’s game because of heat exhaustion, and Jacob Latz.
Texas still has open 40-man roster spots, so the roster churn may not be done yet. Another move, another trade, or even a free-agent addition could still be coming.
In Other News...
Corey Seager Exit Leaves Rangers Facing Another Alarming Problem
Corey Seagers latest exit only added to the uneasy feeling around the Rangers offense. Removed from the game against the Guardians because of back discomfort, he has been trying to navigate a managed workload after already missing time earlier this season with lower back inflammation and then again after a concussion. For Texas, the concern is bigger than one night, because Seager has spent much of the season trying to stay on the field while the team carefully balances his health and his production.
The Rangers had recently placed him on a planned off-day schedule to help keep another injury from surfacing, but that approach now appears to be under strain. Seagers playing time has already been affected by the sequence of issues, and any further setback would leave Texas scrambling to preserve one of its most important hitters while also trying to keep the bigger picture intact. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Roster Moves Sent A Clear Message About Their Rotation Trouble
The Rangers kept busy on Monday, adding veteran right-hander Chris Paddack and selecting the contract of Cameron Cauley as the latest sign they are still trying to patch together their pitching depth. Paddack made it through four innings against the Cleveland Guardians, and the moves fit a roster picture that has been shifting for a while as Texas looks for ways to stabilize the staff.
With Jack Leiter out until at least August after ankle surgery and Jordan Montgomery still about a month away from returning from Tommy John surgery, the need for reinforcements is hard to miss. Texas has also kept a 40-man roster spot open for the possibility of another veteran free-agent arm, which leaves the door open for more movement if the right pitcher becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Could Find The Deadline Help They Need From The Mets
Fresh off a four-game sweep that pushed Texas to the top of the AL West, the Rangers have given themselves a clearer path into deadline season. With the Mets stumbling through a disappointing year and already moving on from Carlos Mendoza, New York has started to look more like a club that could listen than one that will try to add, and that kind of shift can create opportunity for a contender looking to tighten a roster for the stretch run.
For Texas, the appeal is obvious: help in the bullpen and another bat that could fit around the current lineup without forcing a major overhaul. The Rangers have not confirmed any pursuit, but the Mets situation has naturally put a few names into the conversation as possible fits for a club trying to keep its division lead while patching holes before the deadline arrives. [Read more 🡒]