27 Hitless At-Bats, a .179 Average: Corey Seager's Return Has Rangers Fans Sweating

Alright, you guys, hold up. Big news just dropped from the American League, and while it's not our Mariners making headlines, we gotta talk about what's going down in Texas. The Rangers just activated star shortstop Corey Seager and outfielder Wyatt Langford from the 10-day injured list. You'd think that's all good vibes, a huge jolt for their lineup, right? But with Seager, it's not that simple, and it's got fans wondering if this is a desperate move or a stroke of genius.

Corey Seager's Rollercoaster Return

So, let's get into Seager first. This dude is a five-time All-Star, a two-time World Series MVP, once with the Dodgers in 2020 and again leading the Rangers past the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games in 2023. He was even runner-up for AL MVP behind Shohei Ohtani that year. A certified clutch machine, right? But this season? Oof. He's batting a brutal .179 and, get this, he’s hitless in a career-worst 27 consecutive at-bats. Twenty-seven! Can you believe it? His last game was May 13 before getting sidelined with lower back inflammation. He's played 42 games this year, with seven homers and 20 RBIs, which isn't terrible power, but that average is just wild for a player of his caliber. Now he's 32 and expected to be in the lineup for their home game against the Cleveland Guardians. What's gonna happen? This feels like a huge roll of the dice for Texas.

Langford's Lift and Roster Whirlwind

Then there’s Wyatt Langford, the 24-year-old outfielder. He’s back too, after a forearm flexor strain took him out of commission back in April. His last game was way back on April 21. Before the injury, he was hitting .238 with one homer and four RBIs in 20 games. Not exactly lighting the world on fire this season, but last year he was a beast, putting up 22 dingers, 62 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases in 134 games. He just wrapped up a rehab stint at Round Rock, going 2-for-10 with a homer, two RBIs, and five walks in four minor league games. That's a good sign for some potential pop in the lineup. To make room for these guys, the Rangers made some other moves. Outfielder Alejandro Osuna, 23, who batted .253 with nine RBIs in 37 games, and utility man Cody Freeman, 25, who only had one game with one hit, were both optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. The wild card here is Sam Haggerty, 32. He was designated for assignment, and get this, he was activated from the bereavement list *while* being DFA'd. That's a tough break. Haggerty was batting .159 with one RBI in 35 games this season for them. Plus, they signed righty Josh Sborz, who pitched for them from 2021-24 with a 13-12 record and a 4.86 ERA in 143 appearances, to a minor league deal. A busy day for their front office, for sure. So, these guys are back, ready to jump right into the thick of it. Seager's got a massive reputation to live up to, but his current stats are screaming for a turnaround. Langford could be a spark plug if he finds his groove from last season. Will Seager snap out of his slump and remind everyone why he’s a two-time World Series MVP, or is this the beginning of a really tough stretch? You know we'll be watching to see how this all plays out.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.