Texas Rangers Welcome Joc Pederson Back from Injury List

The Texas Rangers made a roster move on Sunday, bringing designated hitter **Joc Pederson** off the 10-day injured list. He returned just in time for an 8-1 win over the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field.

Pederson missed almost two months after fracturing his hand on a pitch from Bryse Wilson back on May 24. The veteran came back looking for some redemption, but his first game saw him go 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

This return lands at a pretty important time for the Rangers. They’re riding a hot streak at the plate and eyeing a postseason push.

Joc Pederson’s Rocky Start to 2023

Before the injury, Pederson, now 33, couldn’t quite get things going at the plate. His numbers? A rough **.131/.269/.238** slash line over 46 games.

He did hit two home runs early, but then set a franchise record for most consecutive at-bats without a hit. That’s definitely not what Texas hoped for from their veteran DH.

A Recovery in Motion

Pederson prepped for his return with a short rehab stint at Double-A Frisco. He went 2-for-6 in two games, which felt like a decent sign.

Manager Bruce Bochy mentioned a “*different look*” in Pederson after the injury, which gives the team a bit of hope for a deeper playoff run.

The Corresponding Roster Shuffle

To activate Pederson, the Rangers had to make a roster call. Outfielder **Michael Helman** got optioned back to Triple-A Round Rock.

Helman didn’t get much time in the majors, but he did hit his first big-league homer and put up a **.182/.308/.455** slash in eight games. Sending him down isn’t really about his performance—Texas just needs to fine-tune the roster for the rest of the season.

What Pederson Brings to the Rangers

Pederson struggled earlier this year, but his career numbers suggest he could still help Texas down the stretch. Historically, he’s been better in the second half, posting a career **.801 OPS** after the All-Star break.

If he finds his swing, Pederson could give the Rangers’ lineup another threat and maybe stabilize their designated hitter spot, which has been a bit shaky.

The Rangers’ Offensive Firepower and Pederson’s Role

Even without much from the DH spot, the Rangers’ offense has been on fire lately. They’ve won five in a row and looked like one of the best lineups in baseball over the last month.

Manager Bruce Bochy keeps getting big moments from different guys. Still, Texas ranks below league average at DH, so Pederson’s return feels pretty important.

Now that he’s back, Pederson needs to get his timing down and try to match what the rest of the lineup is doing. If he can heat up, he’ll make life a lot tougher for opposing pitchers.

Trade Deadline Implications

The Rangers’ recent streak has locked them in as buyers at the trade deadline. By activating Pederson, Texas gets a better look at where the roster stands and what they might need to add.

How Pederson performs in the next few weeks could shape whether the Rangers chase another DH or trust the veteran to get back to form.

Playoff Aspirations and Moving Forward

The Texas Rangers find themselves in a great spot to chase a deep postseason run. Every roster move from here will face serious scrutiny under the bright, sometimes unforgiving, lights of October baseball.

Joc Pederson brings playoff experience and some real power to the lineup. The Rangers hope he’ll step up when it matters most, even if his first game back didn’t exactly set the world on fire.

With the trade deadline creeping closer and the playoff race getting wild, Globe Life Field suddenly feels like the center of the baseball universe. Joc Pederson’s return? Couldn’t have come at a better moment for a team itching to make some October noise.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Texas Rangers activate DH Joc Pederson off injured list