Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt hit Pederson with a 93.3 mph fastball in the fifth inning Saturday at Chase Field, in a game Texas went on to win 6-2. X-rays that night came back negative. Pederson saw an Arizona-based hand specialist on Sunday, with the club still weighing an injured list move.
Before he can play again, the swelling in the hand has to come down far enough for him to grip and swing a bat properly.
Joc Pederson Wears Infrared Glove During Treatment For Left Hand Fracture
Pederson wore an infrared glove Tuesday that is designed to promote circulation and recovery. He is also loading up on compression fabric to boost circulation. The anti-inflammatories he is taking are meant to speed up the reduction of swelling.
Pederson said the hand was still “pretty puffy” and swollen Tuesday. He is going through the aggressive treatment with the Rangers’ training staff.
“That’s the plan,” Pederson said of playing again before the regular season ends. “I hope to be able to tolerate the pain and get in a good enough spot to put together competitive at-bats.
“It’s been a privilege to play with this team and this group of guys, and we’re so close that [we] want to find a way to get across the finish line and into the playoffs because it’s a special group,” Pederson continued.
Last season, Pederson missed 52 games after a pitch fractured his right hand May 24 in Chicago. He batted .181/.285/.328 with 9 home runs and 26 RBIs in 96 games in his first year with Texas.
Boston Red Sox Line Up Left-Handers Patrick Sandoval, Jake Bennett Against Texas Rangers
Pederson was not going to start Tuesday or Wednesday either way. The Boston Red Sox open the three-game series at Globe Life Field with left-handers Patrick Sandoval and Jake Bennett. Right-hander Sonny Gray is scheduled to start Thursday’s series finale for Boston.
On Sunday, the Rangers recalled outfielder Alejandro Osuna from Triple-A Round Rock and optioned Cam Cauley to Round Rock. Texas made the move to carry an extra left-handed hitter on the bench, anticipating that Pederson would miss some time.
Against right-handers, Pederson has hit 25 of his 26 home runs. His .834 OPS against right-handers leads the Rangers. Wyatt Langford is second at .800.
Pederson’s 26 home runs are tied with Jake Burger for the team lead. Through 136 games, he is batting .235/.329/.487 with 53 RBIs, 49 walks, and 102 strikeouts. His contract carries an $18.5 million mutual option for 2027.
Texas is 74-76 and one game behind the Houston Astros in the American League West. Houston holds the tiebreaker. Boston comes in at 82-68.
Left-hander Cody Bradford is scheduled to start Tuesday’s opener for Texas against Sandoval. First pitch at Globe Life Field is set for 7:05 p.m. CT.
