Rangers 1B Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) could miss Opening Day

Field Level Media|published: Fri 8th March, 13:23 2024

Feb 27, 2024; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) reacts after walking against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. credits: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe could miss Opening Day with an oblique strain, manager Bruce Bochy said Friday.

Lowe, a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, has a timeline for returning from the muscle injury of at least three weeks. He hit .262 with 17 home runs and 82 RBIs in 2023 but had three hits in 18 at-bats this spring.

Texas opens the season March 28 against the Chicago Cubs.

Lowe, 28, played 161 games in the regular season last year and was in the lineup for all 17 postseason games the Rangers played. He has never been on the injured list.

"It sucks, you know?" Lowe said. "I'm climbing up the list. I'm creating value for myself and making money and now getting paid to do nothing. It feels pretty slimy. I don't love it. It's something that's new for me and I'm taking it in stride."

The World Series champion Rangers are already without shortstop Corey Seager, who was cleared this week to begin baseball activities in a throttled upramp from a sports hernia.

Texas opens the regular season at home on March 28 with a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

—Field Level Media