The Texas Rangers announced that star shortstop Corey Seager would go on the 10-day injured list with lower back inflammation. The IL stint is retroactive to May 15, indicating that Seager should miss roughly a week. The team also recalled utilityman Michael Helman from Triple-A Round Rock.
Rangers Shortstop Corey Seager Goes on Injured List
Seager was off to a rough start at the plate in 2026, one of the main culprits behind the Rangers’ sluggish offense. Through 44 games, he had a slash line of .179/.286/.353 with seven home runs and 20 RBI. That batting average is over 100 points lower than his career figure of .285. Seager’s OPS+ currently stands at 91, and he’s never been below 100 for a full season.
Rangers transactions for Monday:
-SS Corey Seager placed on 10-day Injured List, retroactive to May 15 (lower back inflammation)
-INF/OF Michael Helman recalled from Round Rock (AAA)— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) May 18, 2026
Based on the remarks of Rangers general manager Chris Young, who announced Seager’s status during an interview with 105.3 The Fan, it appears this could be a “phantom IL” stint in order to help the five-time All-Star and 2023 World Series champion reset offensively. “He’s just too valuable and important to the rest of our season,” said Young on Monday afternoon. “Our anticipation is this will give him the chance to reset mentally.” Seager was in the midst of a 0-for-27 slump before hitting the shelf.
Chris Young said on @1053thefan that Corey Seager is going on the injured list.
“He’s just too valuable and important to the rest of our season,” Young said. “Our anticipation is this will give him the chance to reset mentally.”
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) May 18, 2026
Meanwhile, Helman will be on the major league roster for the first time this season. After debuting in 2024 with the Minnesota Twins, he played 38 games with Texas last season, slashing .232/.290/.455 with five homers and 20 RBI as one of many contributors to the Rangers’ late-season hot streak. Helman’s primary position is center field, but with Round Rock this season, he has also played second base, third base, shortstop, left field, and DH.
Main Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
