BREAKING: Rangers All-Star third baseman to be out longer than anticipated
Rangers third baseman Josh Jung fractured his wrist after being hit by a pitch in his fourth game of the season, requiring wrist surgery to fix the problem. Initially projected to recover in about six weeks, that timeline was extended to 8-10 weeks due to the surgery being more complicated than expected, leading to Jung’s move from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL.
Unfortunately for Jung, his absence will now be even longer. According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Jung will likely be out until at least the start of July or possibly closer to the All-Star break. It will be 10-14 days before Jung knows whether he’ll be cleared to start swinging a bat. If he is cleared, it will take another 3-4 weeks of full baseball activities and minor league rehab games before he can be activated from the IL.
The situation remains fluid, and the fact that Jung’s timeline has already been pushed back twice is concerning. Additionally, hitters often need extra re-adjustment time after wrist surgery, as it directly impacts their ability to control the bat and swing properly.
Beasley's anthem.https://t.co/A8FmV6LMJy
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) May 19, 2024
A minor league rehab assignment should help Jung shake off some rust, though it can’t fully replicate the challenge of facing Major League pitching.
Jung’s first full MLB season saw him finish fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting, with a .266/.315/.467 slash line and 23 home runs over 515 plate appearances.
Poor Logan O'Hoppe took one in the pinochles. Oof that's gotta hurt.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) May 19, 2024
He followed that impressive regular season with a .308/.329/.538 slash line and three homers in 70 playoff plate appearances, helping the Rangers capture their first World Series championship. Jung’s emergence as a key player has already paid dividends with one ring, and the Rangers hope he can be a lineup fixture for years to come, though this wrist surgery is an unfortunate setback.
Belt it, Beas! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/QAEhVwZEnD
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 18, 2024
As Grant notes, the Rangers haven’t yet been significantly hurt by Jung’s absence, as Josh Smith has stepped up. Smith has hit .280/.375/.432 in 152 plate appearances this season, earning an increasingly large share of the playing time at third base, even though Smith’s left-handed bat adds to the overall lefty tilt of the Texas lineup.