The Texas Rangers have dropped four games in a row, slipping to a 61–63 record and now trailing by 5.5 games in the race for a postseason spot. With their offense struggling badly throughout the season, the Rangers are relying heavily on key players like Joc Pederson to improve their chances in the playoff push.
Pederson, a 33-year-old veteran and notable offseason free agent signing, has had a challenging year marked by inconsistent performance and time away from the field due to injury. Over his recent 30 plate appearances, he has shown some promise, batting .240 with an .887 on-base plus slugging (OPS) and contributing two home runs.
Unexpected Lineup Change: Pederson Removed Without Injury
Prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, Pederson was initially named as the starting designated hitter, scheduled to bat fourth against Toronto’s right-hander José Berríos. However, shortly before the game, the Rangers announced an amendment to their lineup, inserting Rowdy Tellez in Pederson’s spot at DH instead.
The team confirmed that Pederson’s removal was not related to any health issues. Shawn McFarland of Dallas News reported,
“Joc Pederson is out of the lineup, Rowdy Tellez is in at designated hitter. I’m told there’s no health issues with Pederson,”
highlighting that the change was a tactical decision rather than injury-driven.
Pressure Mounts for Pederson to Justify $37 Million Deal
This development comes after a tough season for Pederson, who missed two months on the injured list from late May until late July. Even when active, his offensive output has fallen well below expectations, with a .146 batting average and .547 OPS that represent the lowest marks of his career.
The Rangers had signed Pederson to a two-year, $37 million contract largely because of his power-hitting potential, hoping he would provide crucial home run production. With the team struggling overall, Pederson’s ability to rebound is critical as Texas attempts to climb back into playoff contention.
Although the one-day absence from the lineup might be seen as a minor setback, the Rangers need Pederson to regain consistent form quickly to help energize their offense during this vital second half of the season.