ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers weren’t prepared to promote third baseman Josh Jung last week when the need for an infielder arose. They were Monday when he returned to the big league roster after a three-week stint in the minor leagues.
It had less to do with Jung’s own performance and more so the schedule at hand.
He made the most of it regardless.
The Rangers recalled Jung, an All-Star starter at third base in 2023 who was reassigned to Triple-A Round Rock earlier this month to address issues with his swing and approach, as part of a flurry of roster moves before Monday’s game vs. the Athletics at Globe Life Field.
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He hit a home run in his first at bat back off of A’s left-handed starter Jacob Lopez to give the Rangers a one-run lead in the third inning.
Therein lies the reason for his return.
Jung, who was not available to reporters before Monday’s game, slashed .205/.225/.410 with two home runs in eight games since he was optioned on July 1. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged that Jung “has been swinging better” in Round Rock. The Rangers’ upcoming schedule — at a key point of their season, no less — played a significant role too.
“We’re facing a lot of lefties,” Bochy said, “and I think it’s fair to say we’re not having a lot of success off of them. We need to try and change things up a little bit here by bringing him up.”
Including Lopez, who started Monday, the Rangers are expected to face at least four left-handed starters in their next eight games against the A’s, the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers own a .610 OPS vs. left-handed pitchers that ranks second-to-last in baseball and were shut down by Detroit Tigers southpaw Tarik Skubal on Sunday night. Jung, 27, has a career .827 OPS against left-handers but struggled against them this season before the Rangers optioned him.
The Rangers also recalled outfielder Michael Helman and right-handed pitcher Cole Winn. Infielder Justin Foscue and outfielder Alejandro Osuna were both optioned to the minor leagues while right-handed pitcher Chris Martin was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left calf strain.
Osuna, 22, is one of the club’s top outfield prospects but slashed just .154/.294/.154 in his last seven games and isn’t a difference maker against left-handed pitching. There is also a visa discrepancy with Osuna that must be sorted out before he can travel abroad. He is expected to return to Double-A Frisco — where he started this year — instead of Round Rock.
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Plus, Texas is “targeting Wednesday” for right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to start after dealing with back soreness.
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The veteran righty was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left calf strain and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.
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