The Texas Rangers received a major boost to their lineup on Monday as promising young slugger Wyatt Langford returned from a brief stint on the injured list.
Langford had been sidelined with mild right oblique tightness after exiting a game against the Chicago Cubs on April 8. The Rangers took a cautious approach with their talented left fielder, opting for rest and monitoring after he reported discomfort during a late at-bat. Fortunately, further evaluation revealed no significant damage, allowing the 23-year-old to avoid a long-term absence.
After missing just a few games, Langford was officially activated ahead of Monday night’s series opener at home, where he slotted back into the starting lineup and received a warm welcome from fans at Globe Life Field.
“It feels great to be back,” Langford said in pregame remarks. “I’ve been itching to get out there with the guys. I’m glad we caught it early and didn’t push anything.”
Langford wasted no time making an impact, going 1-for-3 with a walk and scoring a run in his return. He also made a smooth running catch in left field, showing no signs of discomfort or hesitation.
Before the injury, Langford had been heating up at the plate, posting a .244 average with four home runs and six RBIs through the first 12 games of the season. His return comes at a critical time for Texas, who remain near the top of the AL West standings and are navigating several key injuries, including to fellow outfielder Wyatt Langford.
Manager Bruce Bochy praised Langford’s maturity and patience during recovery.
“He handled it like a pro,” Bochy said. “We didn’t want to take any risks with such an important part of our lineup. We’re glad to have him back, and I think he’s just getting started.”
Langford, a first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, burst onto the scene late last season and finished seventh in AL Rookie of the Year voting. With his smooth swing, solid plate discipline, and growing power, he’s expected to be a key piece in the Rangers’ postseason push this year.
For now, Langford is focused on staying healthy and helping Texas continue its strong start.
“I’m ready to go,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of baseball ahead of us.”
