In a surprising turn of events, Marcus Semien, second baseman for the Texas Rangers, sat out for the first time in over two years, bringing his remarkable streak of 349 consecutive games started to an end. Manager Bruce Bochy made the decision to give Semien a much-needed break after the second baseman had been playing through soreness resulting from a collision in the outfield on May 18.

Semien had displayed perseverance by playing in all eight games following the collision, despite being in a recent slump with a 1-for-20 record in the past five games. Manager Bochy emphasized that Semien had been playing while dealing with the lingering effects of the collision and needed time to recover and refresh.

The Rangers, who have a day off on Thursday, will begin a weekend series against the Miami Marlins. Bochy clarified that Semien would not be utilized as a pinch hitter or in any capacity during Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks. The priority was for Semien to rest completely and not exert himself further in order to promote healing.

The collision that resulted in Semien's injuries occurred during a game against the Los Angeles Angels. Running out to catch a shallow popup in the outfield, Semien collided with his teammate, right fielder Adolis Garcia, who was also going after the ball. Both players were able to finish the game, a 3-2 victory for the Rangers in 13 innings.

Bochy revealed that Semien had sustained hits to the head and neck area during the collision and was currently experiencing stiffness in his upper back. Despite dealing with discomfort, Semien has been a key contributor to the Rangers' lineup this season, boasting a batting average of .249 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 55 games.

In Semien's absence, Travis Jankowski took over the leadoff spot as the designated hitter for the Rangers against the Diamondbacks, with Ezequiel Duran assuming second base duties batting ninth in the lineup. These changes marked the first time since Bochy became the Rangers manager in 2023 that Semien was not featured at the top of the batting order.

Semien's incredible streak of 349 consecutive games started ranks as the third-longest in franchise history for the Rangers. It is worth noting that this was Semien's first season with the team after signing a lucrative $175 million, seven-year contract in free agency.

While the decision to give Semien a day off might seem unexpected, it was made mutually between Semien and Bochy. Both agreed that now would be an opportune time for Semien to take a break and allow his body to heal properly. This decision comes after Semien's consistent presence as the leadoff hitter for Bochy for the past 234 consecutive games, including regular season and postseason play leading to the team's first World Series championship.

As the Rangers move forward with their series against the Marlins and Semien takes the necessary time to recover, fans will eagerly await his return to the lineup, hoping that the rest will rejuvenate his performance on the field.