The Texas Rangers are taking a cautious approach with Wyatt Langford after his recent injury, choosing not to immediately place him on the injured list as both the player and the organization remain hopeful that the issue won’t sideline him for an extended period.
Langford had just started to find some momentum, hitting his first home run of the season on Friday. However, he was absent from the starting lineup the following day, raising concerns. After undergoing an MRI, Langford revealed that he is dealing with what he described as a minor quad strain. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic that the injury is not severe and believes he may only need a few days of rest. There is even a possibility that he could return in a limited role, such as pinch-hitting, as early as Sunday.
The Rangers are also keeping their options open regarding a potential injured list stint. Because IL placements can be backdated up to three days, the team has some flexibility to monitor his recovery before making a final decision. This allows them to avoid rushing into a move if Langford shows signs of quick improvement.
The injury occurred during Friday’s game, the same one in which Langford hit his first home run of the year. Observers noticed that he appeared to be favoring his leg while running the bases. He was later replaced defensively by Ezequiel Duran. After the game, Langford explained that he felt the strain while adjusting his body to make contact on a pitch thrown by Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow.
Up until Saturday’s game, Langford had been a constant presence in the lineup, appearing in every contest. However, his early-season performance has been somewhat underwhelming. He is currently batting .170 with a .185 on-base percentage and a .340 slugging percentage. His production includes two doubles, two triples, and one home run.
Injuries like this are not entirely new for Langford. Throughout his young career, he has dealt with several soft-tissue issues. Last season, he suffered three separate oblique injuries, each of which required time on the injured list. During spring training, he spoke about making adjustments to his conditioning program, particularly focusing on strengthening his core to prevent further problems. Earlier in his career, he also dealt with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss time.
With Langford sidelined, Duran stepped into the starting lineup in left field on Saturday. He has been a valuable contributor for Texas so far this season, serving as a versatile utility player. Duran is off to a strong start offensively, hitting .286 with a .476 slugging percentage, along with one home run and four RBIs. He also made a key impact in Friday’s game, delivering a game-tying RBI single in the ninth inning.
Overall, the Rangers have been relatively fortunate when it comes to injuries this season. The only recent addition to the injured list is rookie reliever Carter Baumler, who is dealing with a right intercostal strain. Meanwhile, pitcher Cody Bradford is progressing through a minor league rehab assignment as he recovers from elbow surgery. Infielder Cody Freeman is currently sidelined with a lumbar stress reaction, and pitcher Jordan Montgomery remains on the 60-day injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
For now, the Rangers and Langford are taking things day by day, hoping that patience and careful management will allow him to return quickly without needing a longer absence.
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