The Texas Rangers will be without their star shortstop, Corey Seager, for the remainder of the season. On Thursday, General Manager Chris Young announced that Seager will undergo surgery on Friday to address a sports hernia, according to Tim Booth of the Associated Press. This will be Seager’s second sports hernia surgery within a year, though the first procedure was on the opposite side of his abdomen.
Young acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but explained that, considering the stage of the season, it was a wise choice to ensure Seager has a full recovery. The goal is for him to be healthy for the offseason and ready for spring training. The Rangers, currently in third place in the American League West with a 70-76 record, are eight games behind both the Houston Astros (first place in the division) and the Minnesota Twins (final wild-card spot). With slim playoff chances, the team opted to prioritize Seager’s long-term health.
Seager missed much of spring training due to a similar surgery in January but managed to play in 123 games this season. He hit .278/.353/.512 with 30 home runs and 74 RBI. He earned his third consecutive All-Star selection and fifth overall, adding to an impressive career that includes two World Series titles, two World Series MVP awards, a National League Rookie of the Year honor, and three Silver Slugger awards.
This is Seager’s third year with the Rangers, after spending seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is signed with Texas through 2031, making his health crucial to the team’s future plans. Both Seager and the Rangers hope this surgery will resolve his issues and prepare him for a strong return in 2025 after an early end to his 2024 season.