Corey Seager returned to the Texas Rangers' roster on June 25 after a concussion, only to land back on the 10-day injured list on July 1. The shortstop was sidelined before Wednesday's game versus Cleveland because of lower back inflammation. He had warmed up Tuesday but withdrew before his first at‑bat when the pain flared.

Seager has appeared in 50 games this season, posting a .182 average with 10 home runs and 25 RBIs. Since returning from his head injury, he went 1‑for‑10 but drew five walks in 15 plate appearances, underscoring lingering discomfort. The five‑time All‑Star’s slump adds pressure to a Rangers lineup that has struggled to generate offense.

To fill Seager’s spot, Texas called up infielder Josh Smith from Triple‑A Round Rock. Smith’s promotion gives the club a defensive upgrade while they await Seager’s recovery timeline. With the Rangers hovering near the AL West cutoff, losing a power‑hitting shortstop could jeopardize their push for a postseason berth.

The Rangers sit 3.5 games behind the Houston Astros for the wild‑card, and Seager’s absence forces manager Chris Woodward to reshuffle the batting order. If Smith can contribute offensively, the club may maintain its pace; otherwise, the back‑to‑back injuries highlight depth concerns that could linger into September.