Texas Rangers star shortstop Corey Seager has been placed on the 10-day injured list after undergoing successful surgery for appendicitis, which was diagnosed after he initially appeared fine following a game but later experienced worsening pain.

Seager's injury is a significant setback for the Rangers, who are fighting for a postseason spot and currently trail the final American League wild card by 4.5 games with a 68-67 record.

The team was initially unaware of the severity of Seager's condition, thinking he was dealing with minor discomfort, but it was later confirmed that he needed surgery, performed in Mansfield, Texas.

While Seager is expected to be evaluated over the coming days, recovery could take anywhere from a few weeks to longer, which might cause him to miss a substantial part of the remainder of the season.

Seager, a five-time All-Star and former World Series MVP, has been a key offensive contributor this season with a .271 batting average, 21 home runs, and 50 RBIs, but he has already missed 33 games due to injuries.

His absence is compounded by other injuries on the team, including second baseman Marcus Semien and pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, which have further challenged the Rangers' roster depth.

Despite these setbacks, the Rangers have shown resilience, winning five of their last six games, and are hopeful Seager can return before the season concludes.

In Seager's absence, Josh Smith is the leading candidate to replace him at shortstop, and utility player Dylan Moore has been called up from the minors to fill the roster gap.

Seager's injury history includes previous surgeries on both sides of his groin, and his season's performance is at risk of being his first without reaching 30 home runs.

The team remains optimistic about Seager's quick recovery, with some players and officials hopeful he can rejoin the team before the end of the season, which is crucial as they aim to secure a playoff spot.

Seager's surgery was performed by Dr. Garish Alexander, and he is expected to be evaluated in the coming days to determine the exact length of his recovery period.