Rangers lose ace Tyler Mahle to injury and fall 5-2 to the Padres on July 4, 2025. Get the full details on the devastating blow to the Texas rotation.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Texas Rangers were hoping for some holiday fireworks in San Diego, but the only explosion they got was a bombshell that rocked the pitching staff. Before the first pitch was even thrown against the Padres, the team announced that ace Tyler Mahle is being shut down with a rotator cuff strain. The subsequent 5-2 loss felt like salt in a fresh wound, making for a truly sour Fourth of July for Rangers fans.
Tyler Mahle leads the American League with a 0.92 ERA and a .121 opponent batting average, making his absence a devastating blow to the rotation.
The biggest news of the day, and perhaps the season so far, is the loss of Tyler Mahle. President of baseball operations Chris Young confirmed the right-hander has a rotator cuff strain and will be shut down from throwing for several weeks. This is a gut punch for a team trying to climb back into contention. Mahle hasn't just been good; he's been historically dominant, leading the AL in both ERA (0.92) and opponent batting average (.121). Losing that kind of production right before the All-Star break puts immense pressure on an already taxed starting rotation.
On the field, things didn't go much better. The Rangers' bats were largely quieted by Padres starter Randy Vásquez, who held them to just one run over six innings. Kumar Rocker took the mound for Texas and battled, but ultimately surrendered 4 runs in 5 innings of work, striking out six but also issuing three costly walks. The 5-2 final score dropped the Rangers to 43-45 on the season, keeping them stuck in fourth place in the AL West.
Despite the loss, there were a couple of positive takeaways. Evan Carter continues to be a dynamic presence, going 2-for-4 and driving in the team's first run with a single in the fourth. He also swiped his ninth base of the year, tying him for the team lead and showcasing his valuable blend of speed and contact. Later in the game, Adolis 'El Bombi' García provided a familiar spark, launching his 18th home run of the season, a solo shot in the eighth inning that served as the team's only other run.
Losing Mahle is a massive hurdle, and this loss only magnifies the challenge ahead. The Rangers are on a crucial road trip and need to find a way to generate wins without their best arm. The offense needs to wake up, and the remaining starters must step up to fill the void. The series continues tomorrow in San Diego, where Texas will desperately try to even the score and salvage what's left of this holiday weekend.
