After spending nearly two months recovering from a fractured right hand, Joc Pederson is finally back in action for the Texas Rangers. The team officially brought him off the 10-day injured list on Sunday, slotting him in as the designated hitter and batting him fifth in the lineup for the series finale against the Atlanta Braves.
Pederson, 33, was injured on May 24 when he was hit by a pitch from Chicago White Sox pitcher Bryse Wilson during a game in Chicago. At the time of the injury, he was struggling at the plate, hitting just .131 with two home runs and six RBIs over 46 games. Still, the Rangers are hopeful he can shake off the rust and provide some much-needed power and experience as they enter a crucial stretch of the season.
Pederson has had a solid career overall, known for his postseason contributions and home run power. He’s a two-time All-Star and has won two World Series titles, with career numbers that include a .237 batting average, 211 home runs, and 555 RBIs across 1,318 games. He spent the bulk of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2014 to 2020 before bouncing around several teams.
To open a roster spot for Pederson’s return, the Rangers sent Michael Helman down to Triple-A Round Rock. Helman, a 29-year-old utility player, hit .182 with one home run and four RBIs over eight games during his stint with the big-league club.