Seager sat for Sunday’s series finale against the Cleveland Guardians at Globe Life Field as part of a scheduled build-up while he works his way back from injury. The 32-year-old was sidelined for nearly three weeks with lower back inflammation, was activated from the injured list before Friday’s series opener and played in two games before the day off. Infielder Ezequiel Duran started at shortstop.
The Rangers will play 23 games in a 24-day stretch after Monday’s off day.
“He’s going to have these periodically as he starts building up back into his season, I guess, after the [injury],” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “The built-in off days are going to be crucial for him so we can get him for the remainder of the season. A healthy Corey Seager makes our team a lot better, so, we’re trying to avoid any more stints on the IL.”
Seager is 2 for 8 with a home run since his return from the injured list. Schumaker said that Seager’s “timing” at the plate was on point despite the games missed.
“Even in his live BP [last week], the first swing he took was off the batter’s eye, so you knew that he was in a really good spot,” Schumaker said. “It was never about the rotation. It was always about the pounding, the running or fielding a ground ball. The timing looked right the first at-bat.”
Second baseman Josh Smith will only play one game of Double-A Frisco’s doubleheader Sunday as part of his minor league rehab assignment. Smith, who’s been on the injured list for more than a month because of a glute strain, wrist soreness and viral meningitis, was scheduled to play Saturday before the game was rained out.
Right-handed pitcher Cole Winn threw a bullpen before Sunday’s game at Globe Life Field and, per Schumaker, has progressed well after arm fatigue landed him on the injured list. The Rangers optioned right-handed pitcher Luis Curvelo to Triple-A Round Rock after Sunday’s game and cleared a roster spot for Winn should he be healthy for activation prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals.