Ranking 3 Rangers players most likely to lose their roster spot once Corey Seager returns

With Corey Seger's return imminent, a corresponding move will have to be made to the Texas Rangers' roster to provide room for him. There are a handful of candidates who will likely be sent down to free up the spot. It's important to keep in mind, however, that whoever does get demoted will likely be back with the team when the roster expands from 26 to 28 on September 1.

Here is a ranking of the three players likely to be sent down if Corey Seager returns as soon as this upcoming road trip to Tampa Bay and Houston, from most likely to least likely.

Ranking the three Rangers who will be designated for assignment when Corey Seager is back from most likely to least likely

1. Cameron Cauley - INF/OF

Unfortunately for Cameron Cauley, he was the last man in, and usually that means you're the first man out. Cauley has been fine during his two weeks with the big club, but he certainly hasn't done anything that would lead you to believe that he isn't the leading candidate to return to Round Rock once Seager is back and healthy.

Cauley has shown amazing top-end speed and looks to be a capable defender at both second base and centerfield, but he has also appeared overmatched at times facing big league pitching. That is to be expected, though, and Cauley, while remaining an encouraging young player, couldn't be hurt by getting some more regular at-bats at Triple-A.

2. Josh Smith - Utility

Josh Smith has been tough to figure out this year. He was gifted the everyday second base job, and he proceeded to lose it within weeks due to lack of production and a serious illness that sidelined him for close to a month. He just can't seem to barrel the ball with enough consistency to stick with the Rangers. Especially now that guys like Ezequiel Duran, Nicky Lopez, and Justin Foscue have really arrived and appear to have passed Smith on the depth chart.

Nevertheless, Chris Young and the organization have an almost inexplicable soft spot for Smitty, and they are giving him every opportunity to turn it around. He appears to have found a spot filling in for the injured Josh Jung, who will be back very soon. Right now, however, he is not contributing meaningful at-bats at the major league level and could be sent back down.

3. Alejandro Osuna - OF

Alejandro Osuna has now spent this season, and a good part of 2025, as a part of the Rangers' big league squad. His infectious energy and love for the game have curried the favor of Skip Schumaker, Chris Young, and the fanbase. He seems to find a way to contribute even when he isn't getting consistent playing time now since Wyatt Langford's return from injury.

It would be surprising if it's Osuna who is sent his walking papers. He is beginning to feel like a part of the fabric of this team's feisty identity, and sending him down could have a bigger impact in the clubhouse than just losing a slap hitter. Sometimes a team needs a rah-rah guy like Osuna to keep the group's spirits high during good times and bad.

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