Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson suffered a fractured right hand during Saturday’s 10-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said after the game.
Pederson’s estimated recovery time is six weeks.
Pederson, 33, was hit by a Bryse Wilson pitch during the fourth inning. He stayed in the game long enough to score on Marcus Semien’s sacrifice fly, but Kyle Higashioka handled the designated hitter role the rest of the way.
Pederson owns a reputation as a prolific power hitter with 211 career home runs. Over his 12-year career, he has averaged one homer every 21 at-bats. In 2024, he produced 23 homers, 64 RBIs and a .275/.393/.515 batting line for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
That inspired the Rangers to sign Pederson to a two-year deal worth $37 million. However, he got off to a slow start this season with only two home runs and six RBIs with a career-low .131 batting average across 46 games.
It has been a rough start overall for the highly touted Rangers, who sit at 25-28 and fourth place in the AL West.
Higashioka and Jonah Heim, who’s sixth on the team with his .709 OPS, could see additional time at DH with Pederson sidelined. The two catchers have made 14 combined DH appearances this season.
