Manager Bruce Bochy said it’s a stomach bug and that Semien might also need Thursday off. Sam Haggerty is playing second base today.

Semien’s homer was a routine fly carried by the wind, but he’ll take it. The Rangers are sticking with Semien in the leadoff spot to begin the year, even though his production slid in a 2024 season in which he hit .237/.308/.391. If he bounces back just enough to keep the leadoff spot, he’ll provide a nice return at his current ADP. If, as seems more likely, his decline continues at age 34, he could wind up hitting eighth or ninth and being a total bust.

Semien’s home run was his 20th of the season. He hit a solo shot off Merrill Kelly in the third inning. It’s his second home run in his last three games. Semien is headed for his lowest home run total in a full season since 2018 and potentially the lowest average of his career, but he’s showing the value of playing everyday. He’s scored 90 runs and has 69 RBI despite not having his best season. That’s a pretty decent floor, which will be the argument for fantasy managers to buy into Semien once again next year.

The stolen base is just his fifth of the season. He’s hitting .236 with a .689 OPS and 65 RBI this year. Semien has 18 home runs and 87 runs scored, which are respectable numbers, but his stats are down across the board this year. He turns 34 later this month and it’s fair to wonder at this point if this is the beginning of his decline.