Rangers' Wyatt Langford Begins Rehab Game Ahead Weekend Return

Wyatt Langford, the Texas Rangers outfielder, is set to begin a rehab assignment with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders on Thursday, marking a key step toward his return from a left oblique strain sustained in late June. He is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list prior to the Rangers' game against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, likely after playing only one rehab game. Langford has shown promising progress, participating in live batting practice and expressing confidence that he needs just one rehab game before rejoining the Rangers' lineup. His return is seen as critical for the Rangers, who have struggled this season due to injuries and underperformance, particularly in the outfield. Manager Bruce Bochy and the team anticipate that Langford's comeback, along with the eventual returns of pitchers Jon Gray and Josh Sborz, could revitalize the team's chances in the American League West. Langford, a promising young player who finished seventh in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2024, had been batting .232 with 13 home runs and 31 RBIs before his injury.