Semien Returns to Arlington as Rangers Place Pederson on IL
The short version
- Marcus Semien made his first return to Texas since being traded last offseason
- Joc Pederson went on the IL retroactive to Saturday; the Rangers hope he returns for a playoff run
- Ezequiel Duran ranks eighth in AL WAR after his Dominican Winter League stint
- Tim Cowlishaw cites earlier start times as a Rangers edge over Houston
- Texas lost Monday behind poor defense and a 1-for-8 showing with runners in scoring position
Marcus Semien faced his former club for the first time since an offseason trade, while Texas sidelined Joc Pederson with hopes he returns for a playoff run.
Marcus Semien arrived in Arlington with the Mets on Tuesday, marking his first trip back since Texas moved him in a trade last winter. The second baseman looked back fondly on his tenure with the Rangers before the matchup.
On the injury front, the Rangers put Joc Pederson on the injured list, backdated to Saturday. The club believes he could rejoin the lineup should it reach the postseason. Pederson previously sat out part of the 2025 campaign with a broken hand suffered when he was hit by a pitch.
Ezequiel Duran's stint in the Dominican Winter League a year ago has translated into production this season, as he ranks eighth in the American League in WAR. Columnist Tim Cowlishaw argues that earlier game times compared to Houston's give Texas an edge down the stretch.
The Rangers dropped Monday's contest, however, hurt by shaky defense and an offense that managed just one hit in eight at-bats with runners in scoring position. Jake Burger's blunt review of the night's miscues: "it sucks."
