Corey Seager has been placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back inflammation while the Texas Rangers are in Denver, and Mackenzie Gore was pulled early from Monday’s start in Colorado after a rough first inning. Rangers president Chris Young and manager Skip Schumaker addressed the situation on 105.3 “The Fan” (KRLD-FM) and the club recalled outfielder Michael Helman from Triple-A Round Rock. The team dropped a 7-6 decision to the Rockies as it sorts through these health questions.
The Rangers announced Seager’s placement on the 10-day injured list with a designation retroactive to May 15, signaling the club wants to buy some cautious time while the shortstop recovers. Seager had taken Friday’s series opener against the Houston Astros off as a scheduled rest day before reporting the back issue and returning to Arlington for further examination. The move opens a spot on the roster and gives medical staff space to evaluate whether this is a short flare or something that needs a longer ramp-up.
Michael Helman was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to fill the active roster vacancy, giving Texas an outfield option while Seager is sidelined. Helman brings depth and a left-handed swing that can slot into multiple roles, and his call-up is the kind of short-term adjustment teams make when a key player needs time. The Rangers will rely on that flexibility while they get clearer answers on Seager’s timeline.
Rangers president Chris Young told listeners Monday that Seager could be ready to return by the start of next week’s homestand, which would keep this stint brief if all goes well. Manager Skip Schumaker stressed caution and realism, saying, “A back is tricky,” and making it clear the club is not planning to rush him back. This is the seventh time in just over four seasons that Seager has landed on the injured list, and it is the first back-related entry on his medical history since joining the Rangers.
Back injuries have a way of behaving unpredictably, which explains the team’s conservative posture. Even a short bout of inflammation can slow a hitter’s swing and a fielder’s mobility, so the Rangers are balancing the desire to have Seager available with the long-term view of keeping him healthy for the stretch run. Medical evaluation and monitored workloads will determine whether he needs additional rest or a structured rehab plan.
Monday night’s starter Mackenzie Gore ran into trouble immediately, surrendering two runs on three hits and issuing two walks during a 28-pitch first inning before the club removed him from the game. The Rangers described the decision as precautionary, but they did not rule out the possibility that Gore could need a stint on the 15-day injured list depending on further evaluation. The team expects to have a clearer picture once pitchers’ handoffs and postgame exams are complete in the coming days.
The early hook for Gore forced the Rangers to scramble a bit with their pitching plan and tax the bullpen, a common ripple effect when a starter exits after one inning. In a 7-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies, Texas was unable to recover enough offense or stability on the mound to secure the win. The result leaves the club managing both immediate lineup decisions and potential additions to the injured list while trying to keep momentum in a tough road environment.
There are practical next steps for the Rangers. Medical staff will monitor Seager’s progress day to day and decide if he can rejoin the lineup when the team returns home to Arlington. Gore will receive more targeted evaluation to determine if his removal truly was precautionary or if the rotation will need reshuffling. For now the organization is playing it safe and letting health drives the timetable rather than forcing a quick return.
