MLB early May injury update: 4 teams take big hits in first week

The loss of left-hander Cole Hamels could have effectively ended the Texas Rangers’ 2017 postseason chances as he was scratched from his start Tuesday with oblique tightness.

Hamels felt the sharp pain in his side on his second warm-up pitch Tuesday night as the Rangers were about to take on on their division and state rival the Houston Astros. Per MLB.com:

"“It’s something I’ve never experienced, I think, ever in my career,” Hamels said. “What those types of symptoms represent, you just want to be a little more cautious. Ultimately when you get into a game situation, you push even harder, and I think that would lead to a more serious injury that can be avoided.”"

Unfortunately for Hamels and the Rangers, a more serious injury could not be avoided. After being evaluated by doctors, Hamels was diagnosed with an oblique strain that will have him out for approximately eight weeks, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

Despite having a 3.03 ERA over 32.2 innings pitched, Hamels has struggled in other areas to open the 2017 season.

His strikeouts per nine innings rate is down to 4.1 K/9, while his walks per nine innings is up at 3.3 BB/9, per MLB Trade Rumors. His swinging-strike rate is also well below his 12.3 percent career average at just 7.5 percent.

His low ERA is still a good sign but then again, according to MLB Trade Rumors, Hamels has been benefiting from a .219 BABIP.

He was supposed to be the second ace of the Rangers’ pitching staff alongside Yu Darvish, so this injury spells trouble for Texas, who are currently sitting at the bottom of the AL West with a record of 11-17.

This will make it much harder for the team to get out of the AL West cellar and into the postseason. It was predicted prior to the season by many that the Rangers would be fighting the Astros for the division title, but now that appears to be a lot less likely.