Tracking Corey Seager’s progress toward return to Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers star shortstop Corey Seager took live batting practice Friday, the latest step in his return to the active roster.

ARLINGTON — All reports this week, from manager Skip Schumaker to the man himself, indicated that Corey Seager is moving closer to returning to the Texas Rangers after a second absence caused by a bad back.

The shortstop on Friday attempted to simulate, as best he and the Rangers could, a rehab game at Globe Life Field. He took at-bats, then sat between them. He fielded groundballs and ran the bases, too.

The goal is for Seager to do that again Saturday or Sunday, depending on when the Rangers can find a reliable arm from Double A Frisco or Triple A Round Rock to come to Globe Life Field to pitch to the two-time World Series MVP.

A rehab assignment is being discussed. If left to Seager, he will go straight to the Rangers’ lineup once the medical staff gives him the green light. It might be left to Seager, though Schumaker won’t object if he wants to go somewhere for a few games.

The situation is fluid, it’s safe to say, but one thing that seems consistent is no one is willing to commit to a game when Seager will return. Maybe that’s the nature of back injuries, or maybe it’s the nature of Seager’s knack for being injured.

Maybe he’ll be back Monday for the finale in a critical series against the Mariners, which started Friday night. Maybe he’ll end up meeting the Rangers next Friday in Houston for another critical series against the Astros.

At least they’re talking about a return, and at the right time as the Rangers navigate the most important stretch of their season so far.

“I don’t feel strongly about him having an extended rehab. If he wanted a game or two, then I’m OK with that, too,” Schumaker said. “He just hasn’t played games in a while, but I would tell you the setup that we have going is almost like a rehab assignment. But it’s just tough to mimic certain things.”

Seager seems to have conquered the movements that made his back balk most — running and bending at the waist. That’s good, because a batter needs to run and a shortstop needs to bend at the waist.

The Rangers need Seager as they make their push for the playoffs, but, more urgently, their push to convince club brass to make additions at the Aug. 3 trade deadline. The Rangers entered Friday in first place in the American League West, albeit with a .500 record (51-51) and by only a half-game over the Mariners.

Friday’s game was the first of 10 remaining until the trade deadline, and a rough four games against the Mariners in this weekend wrap-around series might make the front office reconsider an investment in player acquisitions.

They might be completely sold with a good series.

While Seager appears close to returning, third baseman Josh Jung might need the injured list after a test of his left calf didn’t go well Friday. Schumaker said that Jung couldn’t get to full speed when running and might have been lucky to get to 50 percent.

Catcher Danny Jansen said that he’s not headed toward elbow surgery, at least not yet. He’s throwing at 90 feet with some oomph and will give things two more weeks before deciding if he can trudge through the rest of the season.

That’s curious timing, considering the Rangers just lost catcher Kyle Higashioka to a similar injury. That is now a need position for the Rangers at the deadline, though they might roll the dice if Jansen can manage the injury.

The Rangers also need bullpen help, though the healthy returns of starting pitchers Jack Leiter, Jordan Montgomery and Cody Bradford could produce multiple multi-inning relievers by mid-August. Montgomery, who was scheduled to make his final rehab start Friday night for Triple A Round Rock, could become a rotation option next week.

Leiter said that he plans to throw off a mound Saturday. If all goes well with his left ankle, he could begin what he hopes is a short buildup back to the rotation.

But the main injury news, as it is every time he is injured, is Seager. If he comes back, and if it’s soon, he could influence the Rangers’ decision-making ahead of the trade deadline.

Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com