CHICAGO -- Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson has a right hand fracture, manager Bruce Bochy announced postgame on Saturday.
Pederson departed the Rangers’ 10-5 loss against the White Sox one inning after he was hit by an 87.5 mph cutter out of the hand of Bryse Wilson in the third inning. He initially stayed in the game to run the bases and scored on a Marcus Semien sacrifice fly but was replaced by Kyle Higashioka the next time his spot in the batting order came up.
“It didn't feel good,” said Pederson, whose fracture is in his fifth metacarpal knuckle. “It was making a weird clicking sound that didn't seem right. But I told them I could run in and figure it out after that.”
Pederson is likely to miss a minimum of six weeks before returning to the Rangers’ struggling lineup.
It has been a grind of a season for Pederson, in his first year of a two-year deal with the Rangers. After a franchise record 0-for-41 stretch earlier this season, his slash line sits at .131/.269/.238 through 46 games.
“It's definitely been a frustrating start to the season,” Pederson said. “At least when you're in there, you feel like you have a chance to impact the game and help the team. But now, I just got to be a good teammate from the side and cheer the boys on and hopefully get back to full strength.
“It's unfortunate, but you can't really do much about it. I’ll work with the medical staff and strength staff to get it healed up as quickly as possible and get back to playing as soon as possible. I got hit by the ball. You can't really do much. It’s frustrating, but it's part of the game. Injuries suck, but life goes on.”
With the injuries piling up, the Rangers don’t have too many options for a Pederson replacement, though it’s worth noting that Corey Seager (hamstring) and Evan Carter (quad) are both nearing returns.
“That’s a bad break there,” Bochy said. “We’ve had tough luck keeping guys on the field, and he's looking to be out for a while.”
Sam Haggerty is starting in center field in place of Carter. Catcher Tucker Barnhart, utilityman Ezequiel Duran and outfielder Kevin Pillar are on the active roster but have not been getting much playing time.
A trio of rookies -- first baseman Blaine Crim, infielder Justin Foscue and outfielder Dustin Harris -- have minimal big league experience but have been raking with Triple-A Round Rock this season. MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 Rangers prospect, Alejandro Osuna, impressed this past spring in big league camp but had only seven Triple-A games under his belt entering Saturday, even with an impressive .261/.485/.435 line.
Whoever it is likely won’t revitalize the Rangers’ offense overnight. But the club could use a spark to get things going.
“We have the guys that can do it,” Bochy said. “You go through these things, and good teams come out of it. We're a good team, and I really believe that we're going to come out of this.”