Corey Seager stepped into the batter's box Sunday for live batting practice for the first time since a back injury sidelined the Texas Rangers shortstop 26 days ago, finishing the session with a home run and plans to repeat the work Monday before a likely minor league rehab assignment. The two-time World Series MVP's return marks another chapter in what's become a lost season for one of baseball's most accomplished hitters.
The five-time All-Star has been limited to just 51 games in 2026—almost certainly his fewest since joining the Rangers in 2022. His numbers tell the story of a year gone wrong: a .182 batting average, 10 home runs, and 25 RBIs. He was stuck in an 0-for-27 slide, the worst of his career, when the back injury first hit 26 days ago. Even after returning from a concussion, he managed only three games before his back flared up again.
A Season of Setbacks
Seager's injury troubles began well before July. He missed three weeks in early June with lower back inflammation, took a minor league rehab assignment, then spent two more weeks on the injured list in June after suffering a concussion. The back problems returned on June 30 when he was removed from a game at Toronto in the first inning due to back discomfort. When asked about his recovery prospects, Seager offered a candid assessment: "I would love to tell you yes, but backs are not what you want."
Manager Skip Schumaker acknowledged the delicate balance between getting Seager back and ensuring he's truly ready. "It's just tough to mimic some in-game stuff," Schumaker said of a potential rehab assignment. "It's always up to the player. Because he missed so much time, we're going to discuss it. Looked like today was really good. See what it feels like tomorrow, and then we'll discuss the rehab assignment."
Rangers' Pitching Depth Also in Doubt
Seager's injury woes aren't the only concern draining Texas's roster depth. The Rangers are hoping for a return soon from two left-handed pitchers who haven't appeared in the big leagues since 2024. Jordan Montgomery underwent his second elbow reconstruction surgery last year while with Arizona before rejoining the Rangers on a one-year contract this season. Montgomery played a key role when the Rangers won the World Series three years ago.
Cody Bradford, who had elbow surgery in June 2025, made 34 appearances in 21 starts over his first two big league seasons with the Rangers before being shut down during spring training last year. Bradford also showed promise as a rookie, contributing during the Rangers' World Series run three years ago.
The combination of Seager's extended absence and the unavailability of two experienced arms from their championship roster highlights how injuries can derail even the most talented teams. For a franchise that captured the sport's ultimate prize just three years ago, 2026 has become a lesson in the fragility of roster construction and the unpredictability of player health.
Why This Matters:
Seager's injury troubles represent a significant opportunity cost for the Rangers. A franchise player hitting .182 is essentially a sunk salary—money that could otherwise be deployed across the roster to fill gaps created by injuries. The team's pitching depth issues compound the problem: losing two experienced arms for an entire season stretches the bullpen thin and forces reliance on less-proven talent. From a front-office perspective, this illustrates why teams must build redundancy into their rosters rather than betting heavily on a small number of star performers staying healthy. The Rangers' championship window, built around core players like Seager, narrows considerably when those players spend extended time on the injured list. How management responds—whether through strategic trades, minor league call-ups, or patience with a rebuilding year—will determine whether 2026 becomes an anomaly or the beginning of a decline.