Josh Jung’s Latest ‘Timeline’ May Leave Rangers in Scramble Mode Down Stretch

When the Texas Rangers put third baseman Josh Jung on the 10-day injured list for a left calf strain, the hope was that he would only miss 10 days.

Hope is what the Rangers organization sees in the rearview mirror. Jung’s IL stint is set to last more than a month.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker told reporters on Friday, including Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required) that Jung’s progress from that calf injury has slowed down and is still “a couple of weeks away” from returning.

This comes after he was starting to ramp up from being shut down for 10 days after wearing a walking boot. He had some running and field work this week. Grant reported that Jung did not participate in any baseball activities on Friday.

What Happens Now with Josh Jung?

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung runs to third base. — Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jung’s injury is in his lower calf. That’s part of the reason it’s been slower to heal. This setback means that it will be September before he returns. With each passing game the Rangers are without one of their best hitters. He went on the IL slashing .294/.361/.441 with nine home runs and 35 RBI as he was putting together his most complete season at the plate since his rookie year in 2023.

His absence also means that the Rangers must continue to re-arrange their infield. Texas has used a few different alignments of late with the return of shortstop Corey Seager.

Against right-handed pitching Texas has been using Ezequiel Duran at third base. He’s also having a great offensive season but with a healthy Jung he would be playing second base. In this case the Rangers can use Nicky Lopez, Justin Foscue or Cody Freeman.

For the last two games the Rangers have faced left-handed starters and have sought to give left fielder Wyatt Langford some time off his feet as the designated hitter. In this case Duran has played left field, and Freeman has played third base. Again, a healthy Jung would allow more flexibility in the field.

The longer the Rangers go without Jung the harder it could be to return. By Labor Day, Texas’ lowest two affiliate will be done. Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock shut down shortly after that. The path for a rehab assignment narrows the longer his recovery takes.

The window for his return it starting to narrow considerably, and with it his chances of helping the Rangers make a final playoff push.

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