Texas Rangers placed shortstop Corey Seager on the 10-day injured list Monday, citing lower‑back inflammation. The move is retroactive to Friday, ending his participation in the weekend series against Houston. Seager, 32, endured a 0‑for‑27 slump with 11 strikeouts before the issue surfaced, leaving the club without its veteran bat as manager Chris Woodward scrambles for a replacement.

Entering his fifth season of a $325 million, 10‑year pact, Seager has compiled a .179 average, seven homers, 20 RBIs and a team‑leading 22 runs over 42 games. Those numbers starkly contrast his previous production and have hampered the Rangers’ offensive output, contributing to a sub‑.250 team batting average during his slump.

Rangers called up utility man Michael Helman from Triple‑A to fill Seager’s roster spot. The 29‑year‑old made his first major‑league appearance this season after posting a .232 line with five homers and 20 RBIs last year. Seager qualifies to reactivate next Monday, when Texas begins a seven‑game homestand that could test the club’s depth.

With Seager sidelined, Texas drops to a .245 team average, trailing the AL West leader by several games. The Rangers hope Helman's versatility can mitigate the loss, but the offense will miss Seager’s power and clutch hitting. Their next series against the Angels will likely determine whether the club can maintain momentum without its former World Series MVP.