Rangers Place Corey Seager on IL with Lower Back Inflammation

The Texas Rangers have placed star shortstop Corey Seager on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 15, due to lower back inflammation. Infielder Michael Helman was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take Seager's spot on the roster. The move comes as the Rangers aim to preserve Seager's health ahead of the second half of the season.

Seager, who entered the season with high expectations after signing a 10-year, $325 million contract in the offseason, has struggled to find his rhythm at the plate. Through 67 games, he’s hitting just .241 with 10 home runs and a .706 on-base plus slugging percentage. His absence adds pressure on the Rangers' middle infield, which has already seen inconsistent production this season.

Before the official announcement, Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young confirmed the IL move on 105.3 The Fan. “Corey’s dealing with some back inflammation, and we need to give him time to heal,” Young said. “We’re going to make sure he’s right before he returns.”

Seager’s injury is a blow for a Rangers team that has been inconsistent all season. Texas entered May with a 27-34 record and is currently 2.5 games behind the first-place Houston Astros in the AL West. The team’s offense has struggled, hitting just .242 as a unit with a .730 OPS, both below league average.

Michael Helman, 26, is a utility player with experience at multiple positions. He has appeared in 11 games with the Rangers this season, batting .235 with one home run and two RBIs. Helman is expected to split time between second base and the outfield while Seager is sidelined.

The Rangers have 10 days to replace Seager on the active roster, though they may keep him on the IL longer if his back doesn’t improve. The team will likely monitor his progress over the next two weeks before making a decision on his return.

Texas is currently on the road, playing a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies in Denver. They will return home to start a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Manager Bruce Bochy will need to rework the lineup with Seager out, potentially shifting Rougned Odor or Isiah Kiner-Falefa into a more prominent role.

The Rangers have until June 5 to make a decision on Seager’s status. If they keep him on the IL beyond that, they will have to place another player on the 10-day IL or make a roster move. For now, the focus is on keeping Seager healthy and ensuring the team remains competitive in the tough AL West.