Texas Rangers All-Star Jonah Heim Could Be Out For Season

Texas Rangers All-Star catcher Jonah Heim will miss at least two weeks, maybe the rest of 2023 with a wrist injury.

Texas Rangers All-Star catcher Jonah Heim was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday before the start of a series at the San Diego Padres.

The injury is a left wrist tendon strain, with the stint on the IL retroactive to Thursday. Several outlets reported that surgery is an option and Heim could be out for the season if he can’t play through the pain. The plan is for Heim to rest the injury for 2-3 weeks before deciding the next steps.

The Rangers also announced the following moves:

• RHP Josh Sborz activated from 15-day IL
• OF Bubba Thompson recalled from Round Rock (AAA)
• RHP Owen White optioned to Round Rock (AAA)

The Rangers open a three-games series at Petco Park, with the Padres’ Joe Musgrove (9-3, 3.25) set to face the Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning (8-3, 3.18).

The Rangers said on Wednesday that left wrist soreness took him out of the game. Manager Bruce Bochy said after Wednesday's game that it was unlikely a hamate bone injury.

Heim's spot behind the plate will be filled by Mitch Garver and Sam Huff.

Heim left Wednesday’s 13-5 win over the Houston Astros in the fourth inning after swinging at a 2-1 pitch by Framber Valdez. Heim grabbed his left wrist and spent a minute trying to stretch it out and shake off what was bothering him.

Rangers trainer Matt Lucero and other coaches came out to look at the wrist, and he was eventually taken out of the game. Huff finished his at-bat, swinging and missing at the next pitch. Heim was charged with the strikeout. Huff took over behind the plate and later homered.

Heim is one of the best catchers in baseball this season, as he’s slashing .280/.337/.479/.816 with 14 homers and 70 RBI. He’s already set a career-high in RBI and is closing in on his career-best in home runs. He hit 16 last year.

In July, he made his first All-Star Game appearance, starting with four other Rangers position players — shortstop Corey Seager, second baseman Marcus Semien, third baseman Josh Jung and outfielder Adolis García.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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