Rangers News: Corey Seager exits Tuesday's game early with familiar injury

The Rangers are holding their breath at they await the results of MRI to reveal the extent of Seager's hamstring tightness.
Los Angeles Angels v Texas Rangers
Los Angeles Angels v Texas Rangers | Sam Hodde/GettyImages

Just like clockwork the Texas Rangers star shortstop left a game early with an injury and has a chance to miss extended time.

On Tuesday, Corey Seager left the game in the sixth inning after grounding into a fielders choice to end the frame. The team announced that Seager was removed from the game with right hamstring tightness and that an MRI would reveal the extent of the injury.

After being replaced at short by Josh Smith, the broadcast showed a replay of Seager pulling up half way through his run to first base and grab at his hamstring and wince. He was also reportedly seen limping down the sideline as he exited the field with a trainer after being removed.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no official word has been said about his status moving forward as the team awaits the results of the MRI. Once the test results come back, next steps will follow.

History of Corey Seager's injuries

Seager has never been the healthiest player throughout his career. Ever since he made his MLB Debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015, the 32-year-old has missed some portion if not all season with an injury.

While with LA in 2018, Seager underwent Tommy John surgery as well as surgery on his left hip and then the following season he missed a month with a hamstring strain.

Upon signing his 10-year deal with the Rangers in December 2021, Seager has spent extended time on the injured list in every season with Texas. The list of injuries included a broken thumb, hamstring strains, hernias, hip discomfort and even started 2025 with a calf injury but have avoided the injured list.

Regardless, Seager has been one of the best hitters in baseball throughout his career. He bursts onto the scene in 2016 when he won NL Rookie of the Year, he performed well in the 2017 World Series, won the World Series MVP with the Dodgers in 2020 and two years ago won the award for the second time as a member of the Rangers.

It can be argued that Seager is one of the best shortstops of his generation and the stats and accolades back that argument up. He is only one of four players in history to have won multiple World Series MVP awards and the first to do so in both the National and American Leagues.

If Seager needs time off, what are the Rangers' options to replace him?

Well they have a pretty safe everyday option in Josh Smith ready to step into that hole if he does indeed have to miss extended time.

The issue that Texas runs into is the depth at the position. When Wyatt Langford went down with an oblique injury a few weeks ago, the Rangers called up outfieder Dustin Harris to take his roster spot. Harris then had a very productive couple of weeks and when Langford was activated last weekend, the organization opted to send Ezequiel Duran to Round Rock over Harris.

While it was 100% the correct move to make, now Texas has to make a toughj decision because Duran was their backup to backup infielder after Smith. If Smith will take over the everyday shortstop role in Seager's absence, they won't have Smith's backup on the bench in case or emergencies.

They could easily recall Duran if needed but he hasn't been the most productive option in a bit. Other options include recalling Justin Foscuse, who is tearing it up in Triple-A to the tune of a .354 batting average, 3 home runs and 14 runs batted in. But at the same time Foscue's stint in the majors last season was poor.