CLEVELAND — Corey Seager is hurt.
Less than a week after returning from a two-week concussion-related absence and just three weeks after returning from a three-week back inflammation absence, Seager was removed in the top of the first inning Tuesday before he could even take an at-bat. The culprit: More lower back discomfort.
With one man on, rookie Cameron Cauley was announced as the pinch hitter for Seager when the No. 3 spot came up. It is unclear what happened between the time manager Skip Schumaker presented the lineup card to umpires and the time Seager was supposed to hit.
Seager, 32, had played in three of the five games the Rangers had played since being activated from the concussion list. As a maintenance tool, the Rangers were slowly ramping him back up to everyday play. He had played one game, taken the next off, then played two and was off on Monday.
Though Seager will be listed as having appeared in Tuesday’s game, he has essentially missed 35 of the Rangers’ last 43 games. The Rangers have gone 16-18 in Seager’s absence.
If Seager needs a third IL stint this season, his replacement may already be on hand. Josh Smith was added to the taxi squad Tuesday as a contingency in case Brandon Nimmo (sprained AC joint) needed an IL placement, but Nimmo reported significant progress Tuesday and may well avoid the IL entirely.