Corey Seager returned to the Texas Rangers lineup against San Diego on Wednesday night after missing two games due to being hit by a pitch on his left wrist. He was slotted back into his usual No. 2 spot in the batting order, which was updated an hour before the game.
With Josh Jung sidelined due to a broken right wrist, Josh Smith, who has been primarily playing at third base, moved from shortstop to third base for this game and was moved down to the No. 3 spot in the batting order.
Manager Bruce Bochy had not ruled out Seager’s return during his pregame press conference, noting that Seager had been improving since the incident on Saturday night when he was hit during a check swing in Baltimore. Although Seager initially went down, he managed to get up and walk off the field.
Initial X-rays immediately following the injury showed no broken bones, and this was confirmed by an MRI conducted on Monday after the team returned home from their road trip.
Seager entered the game with a seven-game hitting streak, though his recent performance had seen him go 11 for 52 in the past 14 games. He ranked second on the team with 15 home runs.
