Josh Jung’s return trip to the Rangers is officially underway, and the final checkpoint is now in motion.
The Texas third baseman started his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Round Rock after taking live batting practice Monday in Frisco. That live BP came while the Rangers were already on the road in Seattle for a three-game series against the Mariners, and Jung’s appearance the next day was the clearest sign he got through it without any issues.
Round Rock is in Salt Lake City for a week-long series with the Bees, giving Jung his first game action since the injury that sent him to the injured list on July 25 with a strained left calf. He batted second and served as the designated hitter, staying in the lineup for the full game and finishing 2-for-5 with an RBI.
The rehab assignment is the last step before Texas can bring him back, assuming the club is satisfied with how his recovery is going. If all goes according to plan, Jung could rejoin the Rangers on the road as they try to chase down the Houston Astros in the American League West.
His recovery has taken longer than expected, but the ramp-up picked up during the previous homestand. Jung was back in baseball activities, ran several times and eventually moved to a full basepath session last weekend. The Rangers wanted him to show he could run pain free before advancing to live batting practice, which is typically the final hurdle before a rehab assignment.
The only real question now is how many games Texas wants him to get before activating him. In a normal situation, he might spend three or four games with Frisco.
But with only 17 games left in the season entering Wednesday’s action, the Rangers need his bat back as soon as possible. Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reported that Jung could stay with Round Rock through Thursday’s game and then join the Rangers in Arizona for Friday’s series opener.
Before the injury, Jung was producing like one of the best hitters in the Texas lineup. He was in the middle of an All-Star caliber first half, hitting .294/.361/.441 with nine home runs and 35 RBI before the calf issue struck while he was running the bases.
When Jung is ready, Texas will have to make room on the roster. Cody Freeman is the most likely candidate because he still has options, though he has been swinging the bat well. Justin Foscue is another possibility, but the Rangers value him as their best right-handed designated hitter option against left-handed pitching.
Texas also recently worked left-handed reliever Robert Garcia through a rehab assignment, though that one was brief. The Rangers had planned to give him two or three appearances, including a back-to-back, but he pitched one inning before rejoining the club for Tuesday’s game in Seattle.
In Other News...
Rangers Fans Should Watch This MLB Problem More Than The Dodgers
The Rangers have plenty of reason to keep one eye on the standings and another on the larger shape of the sport, because the teams that keep popping up in the background are doing very different things to stay relevant. Tampa Bay keeps winning with one of the games leanest payrolls, while Los Angeles remains the model for spending and sustained October trips, and both approaches say something important about how far a club can push its own blueprint.
For Texas, though, the bigger issue may not be which contender is ahead in the race this week, but what the next round of labor talks could mean for every front office trying to build a winner. The collective bargaining negotiations are still hanging over the sport, and the possibility of a salary cap or another lockout makes the debate about competitive balance more than an abstract one for a team like the Rangers. [Read more 🡒]
Former Rangers World Series Arm May Be Facing The End
Jos Leclercs run in the majors has reached a uncertain stretch after the Padres released the right-hander following a difficult 2025 season that included a return from shoulder surgery. For Rangers fans, it is a familiar name attached to one of the most important bullpens in franchise history, especially during the clubs 2023 World Series championship season.
Leclerc had been with Texas from 2016 through 2024 and spent years as a steady late-inning presence when the Rangers were building toward that title. Now his next step is far from clear, with minor-league deals or even a move overseas among the possibilities as he tries to keep his career going. [Read more 🡒]
Former Angels Catcher Is Giving Texas A Reason To Dream
The Rangers have gotten a quick offensive jolt from Logan OHoppe since bringing him over in a trade, and the early return has given the club a little something to dream on. In eight games, the 26-year-old has hit .357 with a .762 OPS, a useful reminder that his bat can already play while Texas sorts out what his long-term fit looks like.
The bigger question is what comes next behind the plate. OHoppes defense remains the concern, and the Rangers may wind up exploring ways to keep his offense in the lineup without asking him to handle every day catching duties. Whether that means some work at a different position or a larger role as a designated hitter, his future in Texas will likely hinge on how much progress he makes defensively. [Read more 🡒]