Rangers bring Corey Seager off injured list, option Cody Freeman to AAA

Texas activated shortstop Corey Seager and adjusted the active roster by sending Cody Freeman to Triple-A Round Rock, while also making a corresponding roster change that left the club with 39 players on the 40-man list.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Texas Rangers restored Corey Seager to the active roster on Thursday by activating him from the injured list, the team announced. The move returns a central infield bat and defensive presence to the lineup at a time when the Rangers need maximum infield stability across a long MLB season.

To create a spot for Seager, Texas optioned infielder Cody Freeman to AAA Round Rock. Optioning a player is the practical roster mechanism MLB clubs use when they need to make room on the 26-man roster while still retaining organizational depth in the minors.

In addition to the Seager activation and Freeman option, Texas formally announced the release of first baseman Blaine Crim. The combination of an IL activation, an option, and a release is a reminder that even routine transactions can have immediate ripple effects across a club’s depth chart and game-day roster planning.

The Rangers’ active roster count at the time of the announcement was 39 on the 40-man list, according to the team’s transaction update. With Seager back and Freeman moved to Round Rock, Texas’ next decisions will hinge on how often managers want to use its remaining bench and how the pitching staff’s workload aligns with the infield’s day-to-day needs.

For Seager, the activation indicates that whatever issue led to his stint on the injured list is now past a threshold for return, and that the organization is ready to count on him in regular-season games. His role as a shortstop typically carries both lineup value and defensive importance, especially in a division where small margins can separate contenders from the pack.

For Freeman, the option to Round Rock suggests he will continue to work for playing time and readiness in Triple-A. Moves like this can also serve a developmental purpose, giving a player a clearer path to reps if the major-league roster is crowded or if the team is managing matchups.

What to watch next is how the Rangers slot their infield once Seager is fully integrated. The immediate lineup impact, plus how quickly Freeman returns to the major-league picture if roster needs change, will be the clearest indicators of Texas’ longer-term roster intentions.

Why It Matters

Seager’s return adds a key everyday infield option back to a position that often anchors both defense and run prevention.
Optioning Freeman clarifies Texas’ current depth plan and affects how the bench may be used in the short term.
The release of Blaine Crim reflects roster housekeeping that can influence springboard opportunities for remaining first-base and bench candidates.
With 39 on the 40-man list, the Rangers still have flexibility for future transactions if new needs arise.

Sources

Key Facts

Texas activated shortstop Corey Seager from the injured list on June 25, 2026.
To make room on the active roster, the Rangers optioned infielder Cody Freeman to AAA Round Rock.
Texas also announced the release of first baseman Blaine Crim as part of the same roster update.
At the time of the announcement, the Rangers had 39 players on the 40-man roster.