Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager will be absent from Saturday’s starting lineup when his team faces the Houston Astros after experiencing back spasms upon waking up, manager Skip Schumaker announced.
The veteran player is currently enduring a career-worst offensive drought, going hitless in his last 27 at-bats. While Seager also sat out Friday’s contest, Schumaker explained that absence was part of a planned rest day.
“He wanted to see if he could loosen up when he got here,” Schumaker explained. “It just didn’t loosen up, so just wanted to play it smart and not push him.”
In his most recent appearance Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seager failed to record a hit in four trips to the plate while striking out twice.
Ezequiel Duran, a five-year veteran currently hitting .274, will take over shortstop duties for the second straight game and occupy the fifth spot in the batting order.
Throughout the 2026 season, Duran has demonstrated versatility by playing multiple positions including second base, third base, and both corner outfield positions.
The five-time All-Star Seager is currently posting a .179 batting average with seven home runs and 20 RBIs across 42 games this season.
This marks Seager’s fifth campaign with Texas following his signing of a 10-year, $325 million contract before the 2022 season. He previously spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2015-2021.
