Rangers place struggling SS Corey Seager on 10-day IL with lower back inflammation

Texas Rangers' Corey Seager runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

DENVER (AP) — Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager has been placed on the 10-day injured list because of lower back inflammation, the team announced Monday.

Seager, 32, did not play in last weekend's three-game series against Houston and his placement on the IL is retroactive to Friday. The two-time World Series MVP was mired in an 0-for-27 slump that included 11 strikeouts before the injury.

Seager — in the fifth season of a $325 million, 10-year deal — is batting .179 with seven homers, 20 RBIs and a team-high 22 runs over 42 games this season.

The Rangers promoted utility player Michael Helman from Triple-A to take Seager's place on the roster. Helman, 29, is playing in the big leagues for the first time this season after hitting .232 with five homers and 20 RBIs for the Rangers last season.

Seager is eligible to return to the active roster next Monday when the Rangers begin a seven-game homestand.

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Texas Rangers' Corey Seager hits into a groundout on a pitch from Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Ben Brown during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 8, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Texas Rangers' Corey Seager reacts to being hit by a pitch in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday, May 11, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)