As the Texas Rangers continue to fall out of contention in the AL West, news broke that doesn't bode well for the team. Marcus Semien was hit by a pitch in the team's 6-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
That loss made it three in a row for a Rangers team that now sits seven and a half games back of the Houston Astros. With the Astros and Mariners neck and neck for first place, seven losses in the Rangers last eight games isn't helping their case.
Game two of the Blue Jays series will not see Semien participate. The team decided to start Ezequiel Duran at second base as Semien woke up with bad news for the team.
As the Rangers' lineup was set to come out, news emerged on the reason for Semien's absence.
"Marcus Semien is out of the lineup after being hit by a pitch last night," Shawn McFarland reported. "He said he woke up today and his wrist was swollen. It’s wrapped up now. He’s getting x-rays later today."
The Dallas News reporter's news was confirmed when the team officially revealed its lineup. Duran is batting third and will play second, the lone position Semien has played this year.
Marcus Semien is out of the lineup after being hit by a pitch last night. He said he woke up today and his wrist was swollen. It’s wrapped up now.
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) August 16, 2025
He’s getting x-rays later today.
Semien was one of the bright spots in the team's one run-loss to the AL East leading Blue Jays. The 34-year-old hit his first home run of the month and his first since July 22. The homer was his lone hit as he did record two runs thanks to the hit by pitch.
Two RBIs for Semien raised his season total to 59. That places him just five shy of Adolis Garcia who leads the team with 64. Semien had an opportunity to pass the 32-year-old who just went on the 10-Day IL with a left ankle sprain.
An IL stint is undermined until the Rangers see the result of their star second baseman's x-rays. The team will have a better idea of the status of their $175 million man later in the day.
For now, they rely on Duran to take his place. The 26-year-old last started on August 13 where he drew a walk but went hitless in his four at-bats. Duran was able to steal a base which marked his sixth of the season. Back in 2023, he set his career high of eight.
In just 52 at-bats this season, Duran is on pace for the lowest average of his career. He's currently hitting .202 which is a vast difference compared to the .246 he put up in 92 at-bats last season.
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