Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo is progressing in his recovery from a left shoulder injury and could return to the lineup as early as this weekend, potentially avoiding a stint on the injured list. The team is monitoring his status closely as they manage a complex roster situation involving multiple players with injuries.
Nimmo sustained the injury on Sunday in Toronto when he collided with the right-field wall at the Rogers Centre while catching the final out of a game against the Blue Jays. An MRI conducted on Monday confirmed a sprained acromioclavicular joint. He received a cortisone injection two days later and began light hitting and fielding drills on Thursday.
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker indicated that Nimmo might be available off the bench on Thursday, though he was not included in the starting lineup. Nimmo reported feeling good about his recovery, noting that the cortisone shot did not cause the expected setback in mobility. He emphasized that because the injury is in his non-throwing shoulder, it is less critical for his defensive duties, though he must still be able to catch balls and complete his hitting motion across his body.
The Rangers have opted not to place Nimmo on the injured list immediately, despite the option to backdate the move to Monday and activate him next Thursday. This decision comes as the team seeks to avoid placing a third starter on the injured list within a week. Outfielder Wyatt Langford and shortstop Corey Seager have already been placed on the injured list earlier in the week. Ezequiel Duran has filled in at right field during Nimmo’s absence.
Nimmo has previously suffered an A/C joint sprain, but those instances occurred during spring training and the final game of the previous season, neither of which cost him regular-season playing time. He has appeared in 82 games this season, posting a batting average of .262 with eight home runs and 29 runs batted in.
