The Texas Rangers are in the thick of the American League wild-card chase, but their uphill climb just got much steeper. The team announced that second baseman Marcus Semien, one of their most dependable and durable stars, has been placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Friday. Doctors say the injury, a sprain to both the third metatarsal in his foot and the Lisfranc ligament, will sideline him for at least four to six weeks. That timeline all but guarantees he’ll miss the rest of the regular season, a crushing blow for both Semien and the Rangers.
Semien has been the definition of reliability since arriving in Texas. In each of his three years with the Rangers, he has played no fewer than 159 games, setting the tone with his consistency and toughness. He’s also been the team’s iron man, leading the club in games played during his tenure while providing both offensive production and veteran leadership. Losing him at such a critical point in the season is the kind of setback that can shake a team’s momentum, especially with the Rangers sitting 4.5 games back of the final wild-card spot.
The bad news doesn’t stop there. Outfielder Evan Carter, a young cornerstone in the Rangers’ lineup, also landed on the 10-day injured list Friday after fracturing his right wrist. His recovery timeline will likely stretch beyond the end of the regular season as well, robbing Texas of yet another impact bat when they need it most.
Still, the Rangers are trying to find silver linings where they can. Fresh off a pivotal sweep of the Cleveland Guardians that helped them stay within striking distance of a postseason berth, the team welcomed back slugger Adolis García, who had been shelved with a left ankle sprain. His return brings much-needed power and energy to the lineup, though it won’t completely offset the absence of Semien and Carter.
For now, Texas will need to dig deep. The wild-card chase was already going to be a battle, but without their veteran leader in Semien and their promising young outfielder in Carter, the challenge becomes even greater. The team’s depth and resilience will be tested over the coming weeks, as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive in what has quickly turned into a season of both highs and harsh setbacks.