Prior to Wednesday’s game against Pittsburgh, the Texas Rangers placed outfielder Wyatt Langford on the 10-day injured list due to a Grade 1 right forearm flexor strain, after he exited early from Tuesday’s 5-1 win over the Pirates. The issue arose during a swing in his second at-bat, when the 24-year-old first noticed tightness. Although he initially stayed in the game, ongoing discomfort during practice swings prompted his removal after four innings.
An MRI on Wednesday verified the diagnosis, and manager Skip Schumaker stated that the team anticipates Langford will be sidelined for only the minimum 10 days. Over 20 games this season, Langford is batting .238 with one home run, four RBIs, three doubles, and two triples, along with a .274 OBP and .363 SLG. Across 84 plate appearances, he has posted a 78 wRC+, a decline from his .247/.335/.423 line and 115 wRC+ over the previous two seasons.
Even though his overall production has been below expectations, Langford had been showing improvement before the injury. He entered Tuesday on a five-game hitting streak, going 10-for-23 (.435), and had reached base in 11 straight games, tying the longest on-base streak by any Ranger this year.
In a corresponding move, Texas recalled outfielder Alejandro Osuna from Triple-A Round Rock. Osuna was hitting .262 (17-for-65) with one home run, eight RBIs, and 10 walks in 17 games, reaching base in 15 consecutive contests. He also posted a .358 on-base percentage and started defensively at all three outfield spots. The 23-year-old slashed .212/.313/.278 with two homers and 15 RBIs in 63 games last season.
The Rangers are expected to use a left-field platoon featuring Ezequiel Duran, Sam Haggerty, and Andrew McCutchen. Duran has been the most effective of the group, batting .298/.353/.447 with one homer and eight RBIs, supported by improved walk and strikeout rates.
Additionally, right-hander Marc Church was outrighted to Triple-A after clearing waivers.
