The Texas Rangers have sent Corey Seager to see a back specialist, as reported by Jeff Wilson. Seager missed the entire weekend series against the Astros and is awaiting the results of an MRI.
The shortstop hasn’t played since Wednesday and was a crucial part of the team, participating in 42 of their first 43 games. At 32, he’s facing one of the toughest seasons of his career. Currently, he’s in a 0-for-27 slump, with a batting average of just .179, on-base percentage of .286, and a slugging percentage of .353. This marks the worst offensive performance of his career, as reflected in his 80 wRC+.
It’s not clear how long Seager has been dealing with this back issue. While he still has a decent hard-hit rate of 45.4%, it’s noticeably lower than his career average. Over recent years, he’s consistently managed above 50%. His average exit velocity has dropped almost 2 mph this season, contributing to his struggles.
Seager is having difficulty making contact, sporting a career-high strikeout rate of 27.5%, a significant jump since 2017, when he last exceeded 20%. His swinging-strike rate is also at a career worst, and his contact rate ranks among the lowest for qualified hitters.
In 2022, the Rangers landed Seager with a significant 10-year, $300 million deal. He excelled in his first year, finishing second in MVP voting and earning World Series MVP honors in 2023. However, injuries have shadowed him, with issues ranging from a thumb injury to a sports hernia. Notably, an appendectomy last September limited his time on the field.
With Seager sidelined, Ezequiel Duran has filled in at shortstop. Duran is performing well, hitting .270 with three home runs and four stolen bases. He has experience at every infield position except first base and both corner outfield spots. Defensively, he has a +5 Outs Above Average in 525 innings at shortstop, showing he can manage the position effectively.
Another promising prospect, Sebastian Walcott, is unavailable for most of the year due to an elbow procedure. Meanwhile, Cameron Cauley, a rising prospect, is also making waves. He has played several positions in Triple-A, although his offensive numbers are lagging at an 82 wRC+.
Injuries can be a tough hurdle for athletes, and Seager’s situation highlights how they can impact a player’s career. As fans, we’re left hoping for a speedy recovery and a return to form for the talented shortstop.
For further insights into the impact of injuries on player performance, you can check studies from ESPN.
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