The reigning World Series champions have made their way to California to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (41-26) for a three-game series. However, the Texas Rangers (31-34) will enter the series without one of their key bats, shortstop Corey Seager.

Seager was not in the lineup Tuesday for what would have been his first game back at Dodger Stadium since he left LA to sign with the Rangers following the 2021 season. The two-time World Series MVP is still battling a hamstring injury suffered on June 5 against the Detroit Tigers.

Seager joined the Rangers on a 10-year, $325-million contract that has already paid dividends for Texas. The star shortstop was named an All-Star in his first two years with the Rangers and added First-Team All-MLB along with a Silver Slugger award to his resume in 2023. The 2023 campaign also saw Seager post a .327 average and finish second in American League MVP voting before winning the World Series.

The 2024 season, however, started slow for Seager. Surgery in January for a sports hernia kept him out for most of spring training and led to a disappointing April where he hit just .208. Seager's bat did warm up in May and June and his average crept up to .271 before going down with his current injury — thanks in part to connecting on hits in 17 of his last 18 games.

Despite missing Seager, the Rangers will try to make some noise against the Dodgers and climb the standings in the AL West. You can catch first pitch for Tuesday's action at 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT on Sportsnet+.

Rangers' Seager misses return to Dodger Stadium due to injury

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