Rangers Lose Jack Leiter to Injured List as Corey Seager Continues Concussion Recovery
The Texas Rangers have been dealt another setback as right-handed pitcher Jack Leiter was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a lingering ankle problem that has troubled him for much of the season. At the same time, the club is still waiting for star shortstop Corey Seager to complete concussion protocol and return to the lineup.
To fill Leiter’s roster spot, Texas recalled right-hander Jose Corniell from Triple-A Round Rock. While the Rangers announced the promotion, they did not reveal who will take Leiter’s place in the starting rotation for Tuesday’s game against the Miami Marlins. Corniell could be a candidate, as six of his seven appearances in the minor leagues this season have come as a starter.
According to Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young, Leiter has been pitching through a condition known as posterior impingement in his right ankle. Although the 26-year-old tried to battle through the discomfort, the injury eventually began affecting his mechanics and overall effectiveness on the mound.
Leiter’s struggles became more apparent throughout June. He lost all three of his starts during the month and posted a 9.88 ERA over that span. His most recent outing came against the Minnesota Twins, where he allowed six runs on seven hits in just four innings during a 9-3 defeat. For the season, Leiter owns a 3-7 record with a 5.29 ERA across 15 starts.
Young praised Leiter’s determination and competitiveness, noting that the young pitcher never used the injury as an excuse for his struggles. However, the organization felt it was no longer in his best interest to continue pitching while compensating for the ankle issue.
The injury reportedly dates back to earlier in the season. Young explained that Leiter was already dealing with ankle discomfort before aggravating the problem on April 22 against the New York Yankees. During that game, he slipped near the on-deck circle, worsening the condition. Follow-up imaging later showed that the injury had continued to deteriorate despite efforts to manage it.
Manager Skip Schumaker echoed those concerns, saying the Rangers had closely monitored Leiter’s condition but eventually concluded that the pitcher could no longer perform at the level expected of him. Schumaker noted that the injury had become increasingly noticeable in recent starts, making it difficult for Leiter to execute his normal delivery and pitch effectively.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are still waiting for the return of Corey Seager. The veteran shortstop became eligible to come off the seven-day concussion injured list on Friday, but he remains in concussion protocol. While he has resumed some baseball activities, including attending team meetings, running on the field, and participating in workouts, the club is taking a cautious approach to his recovery.
Schumaker confirmed that Seager will travel with the team on its upcoming 10-game road trip, which includes stops in Miami, Toronto, and Cleveland. However, there is still no clear timetable for his return to game action.
The Rangers continue to evaluate Seager on a daily basis, monitoring how he responds to physical activity, batting practice, and workouts before determining when he can safely rejoin the lineup.
Seager’s absence comes during one of the most difficult stretches of his career. Earlier this season, he stepped away briefly amid a prolonged slump, only to later miss 19 games because of a back issue. The five-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP is currently batting .186 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs, numbers well below the standards he has established throughout his accomplished career.
With both Leiter and Seager sidelined, the Rangers hope their recovery periods are short as the team looks to stay competitive in the playoff race.
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