Texas Rangers Lose Middle of the Order Bat to Injury, Will Likely Start Year on IL

The Texas Rangers are now dealing with another injury in their position player group, as Nate Lowe as been diagnosed with an oblique strain.

Per Jeff Wilson of RangersToday:

Nathaniel Lowe will likely miss time to open the regular season after he was diagnosed with a strained right oblique muscle, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said.

The initial timeline for Lowe’s return is three to four weeks. The Rangers are still evaluating the severity of the injury and say that the timeline could be shortened or lengthened.

The first baseman said there wasn’t a singular moment when he first felt the injury, attributing it to the wear and tear of never missing time because of an injury.

The team is already dealing with injuries to Josh Jung and Corey Seager, although the former is expected back before the regular season begins.

The 28-year-old Lowe had a great season as the Rangers won the World Series in 2023. He hit .262 with a .360 on-base percentage, popping 17 homers and bringing home 82.

He made his major league debut in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Rays and got to Texas before the 2021 season. Lifetime, he's a .273 hitter with 73 homers and 260 RBI.

Even with Lowe sidelined, the team still has sluggers Marcus Semien, Evan Carter, Jung and Adolis Garcia. They should be fine offensively, but the question will be if their tattered pitching staff can hold up until Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle return around midseason.

The Rangers beat the Diamondbacks in the World Series last year.