Corey Seager's latest infraction doesn't help Rangers fans' frustration with struggling bat

Things are starting to look up in Texas Rangers land, where the club has won its last four series and is sitting at an even .500 for the first time since May 1. Heading into Boston, the Rangers have a golden opportunity to conquer the Green Monster that has haunted them and beat up on the downtrodden Red Sox in hopes of springboarding ahead of the Seattle Mariners, whom they trail by just a game for the AL West lead.

Part of what has driven the good feelings around the team's chances to declare as contenders has been the return of Corey Seager from the IL after a 19-game absence. In his first game back on June 5, Seager, who had been off to the worst start of his career, hitting .179/.286/.353, snapped an 0-for-29 skid with a huge homer that proved to be the game-winner.

The power has returned for Seager since getting healthy, but he's still not clicking on all cylinders, slashing .238/.273/.524 in his five games back so far. Amid his struggles, though, the star shortstop committed a cardinal sin in yesterday's matchup against the Kansas City Royals, putting his fragile body on the line in the process.

In the first inning of the rubber match, Seager found himself on first base as Brandon Nimmo laced a liner into the right field corner. The 32-year-old clearly was not running at full speed as he approached third base, but third base coach Corey Ragsdale waved him home, resulting in a big-time collision with Royals catcher Carter Jensen as Seager slid in safely at home plate.

The Rangers need more engagement, hustle from Corey Seager, if they're going to turn into playoff contenders

To be fair, Seager was 2-for-4 with his second homer since his activation off the IL during yesterday's win, but that's no reason to throw him a parade. He's Texas's cornerstone, and the club is going nowhere if he fails to perform.

As the team's biggest star, he has a responsibility to set the tone, which is something he hasn't always done. Just as important, if not more so, he needs to stay healthy, or else the Rangers will truly be up against the wall when it comes to getting back into the thick of the playoff picture.

The lack of hustle has frustrated fans at times, and this particular lapse against an inferior opponent to start off the game was particularly egregious.

How much wiggle room Texas has to add at the trade deadline is in question, given how Ray Davis directed Chris Young to cut payroll over the winter, so if premium reinforcements are off the table, it's going to come down to Seager playing like the superstar he's paid to be, and being available for the duration down the stretch.

So far in 2026, he hasn't done that, and his lack of hustle on this particular play was especially bone-headed given the sore back that he just recovered from. The Rangers need more from Seager, and the fans deserve better.

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