Texas Rangers Slugger Corey Seager Out Fourth Consecutive Game As He Returns To Face Team 'That Raised Me'

Corey Seager is out of the Texas Rangers lineup again as he returns to Dodgers Stadium to face the club that "made me the man I am."

Jun 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Texas Rangers infielder Corey Seager is recognized before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES — Corey Seager is out of the Texas Rangers lineup for the fourth consecutive game with a left hamstring strain.

And if the slugger was going to return to action early, Tuesday's return to Dodgers Stadium would have been the place. Seager became a Major League star with the Dodgers, spending his first 10 MLB seasons here before signing with the Rangers before the 2022 season.

Seager, 30, who had to hold a media room press conference before Tuesday's series opener because of the interview requests, admitted it was a disappointment. It's his first game back at Dodgers Stadium (not counting the 2022 All-Star Game) since leaving the organization.

"Probably a little more just because it's the first time kind of thing," Seager said. "But other than that, you know, you're always trying to be out there."

Welcome back, Corey! pic.twitter.com/egTrPOOfmM

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 12, 2024

Corey Seager still doesn't love doing interviews 🤣😅https://t.co/fN7SKuq5tZ pic.twitter.com/D7ZAEbPS0C

— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 12, 2024

Seager left Wednesday's game in the second inning after feeling tightness in his left hamstring running out an RBI single. Seager didn't receive an MRI and manager Bruce Brochy expected Seager to need a few games off. A few games turned into five, although Bochy said Seager is available Tuesday off the bench if necessary. That, however, is unlikely.

"Obviously, you want [the recovery] to always be faster than it is, but we're still in the middle of the season," Seager said. "You're trying not to miss an extended amount of time and [taking a few] extra days is what you need to not do that. It's a smart thing to do, even though it's not what you want to do."

Especially when you're back at Dodgers Stadium. Before the first pitch, Seager's Dodgers highlights were played on the video board and he was welcomed back to Dodgers Stadium to rousing cheers from Dodgers fans. Seager stepped out of the dugout to thank fans for the ovation.

"This organization kind of raised me. I was drafted here. They kind of made me the man I am today, taught me the game of baseball," he said. "I made a lot of friends, made a lot of buddies. A lot of good times out there. So all those memories kind of flashback as we're pulling in."

Bochy hopes his slugger is close.

"From the reports I'm getting, the way he's running [he's improving]," Bochy said. "He's still day to day. Could be tomorrow, could be two days. I can't answer that. But I will say he's getting close. It's good news for us."

Corey Seager meets with the LA media before his first regular-season game at @Dodgers Stadium since leaving the organization ...#dodgers #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/tUm7maj5Kw

— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) June 11, 2024

Jun 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Texas Rangers infielder Corey Seager is recognized before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on X @StefanVersusTex.

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook and X.