Texas Rangers outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson has been diagnosed with a fractured hand and is set to miss an extended period of time. During today’s matchup with the Chicago White Sox, Pederson was hit by an 87.5 mph cutter from Bryse Wilson, which landed on his right hand.
Pederson reacted immediately to the pitch and fell on the ground in pain. He remained in the game for the time being and scored a run in this inning thanks to a Marcus Semien flyout, but was replaced by Kyle Higashioka in the fifth inning. He was serving as the designated hitter in today’s game.
The Rangers signed Pederson to a two-year contract worth $37 million this past offseason, but he has yet to find his stride with his new team. Across his first 46 games, he slashed just .131/.269/.238 with 28 strikeouts, two home runs, six RBIs, and is posting a -0.8 WAR.
Texas had hopes of bouncing back from its frustrating season last year after winning the World Series in 2023. Pederson was expected to help solidify the designated hitter spot for the franchise and provide more power to the lineup. Texas had 10 different players slotted in as the designated hitter last year, with no player filling this role more than 25 times. Pederson was hoped to be the more permanent solution, but his production has not lived up to this.
It will not search for other answers on its roster as Pederson begins his recovery process for the fracture. The Rangers hold a 25-27 record on the year, sitting in fourth place in the American League West.
Baseball is a marathon, but the Rangers will need to begin to find some solutions soon. They hold +380 odds of winning the AL West on DraftKings Sportsbook and +135 odds of making the playoffs. Texas holds the sixth-best odds to win the American League at +1300 odds.
More updates will be added as they are provided by the team.
