UPDATE: In a significant blow to the Texas Rangers, star infielders Corey Seager and Marcus Semien will not return to play this season, as confirmed by manager Bruce Bochy just before the Rangers faced the Minnesota Twins in their final home series on September 26, 2023. This decision means both players will end the season on the sidelines after being injured since late August.
Seager has been out since undergoing an appendectomy, while Semien has been recovering from a broken bone and a sprained ligament in his left foot, sustained on August 22. “They’re done. They’re pretty much shut down,” Bochy stated, emphasizing the Rangers’ current status as out of playoff contention.
The impact of these injuries is substantial for a team that had high hopes for a postseason run. Despite a brief resurgence with a 13-3 record, the Rangers fell into a seven-game losing streak, extinguishing their playoff aspirations with just six games remaining in the season.
In a silver lining for fans, Jacob deGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is set to make his last scheduled start on September 27 against the Twins. DeGrom, with a record of 12-8 and a 3.01 ERA, has made significant strides this season after battling injuries that sidelined him for most of the previous two years.
DeGrom has pitched 167.2 innings this year, a notable increase compared to his combined 197.1 innings over the past four seasons. “He wants to pitch,” Bochy remarked, highlighting deGrom’s determination to contribute to the team’s performance.
The financial stakes are high for the Rangers, who invested heavily in their roster. Seager’s $325 million contract and Semien’s $175 million deal, coupled with deGrom’s $185 million agreement, represent a massive commitment to building a championship-caliber team. Unfortunately, the injuries have prevented the Rangers from realizing their goals this season.
Both Seager and Semien had expressed hopes of returning as the team aimed for a playoff spot. However, Bochy confirmed that returning to the field was not worth the risk. “Marcus is making a lot of improvement. Corey not quite as fast as we were hoping,” he said, acknowledging the challenges faced by the injured players.
Seager finishes the season with a batting average of .271, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 50 RBIs over 102 games. Semien’s stats reflect a tougher year, with a final line of .230, 15 home runs, and 62 RBIs across 127 games—his fewest since 2017.
As the Rangers look ahead, all eyes will be on deGrom’s performance in his final start, a crucial moment for the team as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how the team rebuilds and recovers from this year’s setbacks.