CORRECTION, 2:10 p.m.: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that Rangers third baseman Josh Jung would return to the Rangers starting lineup in their Friday game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. He will actually be starting a rehab assignment with the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders.
ARLINGTON — On April 1, Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung fractured his wrist after getting hit by a strange strike thrown by Phil Maton in the ninth inning of Texas’ 9-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
He hasn’t suited up since, but that is about to change Friday.
Ahead of the Rangers’ series closer vs. the White Sox Thursday, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Jung will be begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Friday. Bochy said Jung will play in the field and is scheduled for at least five innings.
“We’ll see how it goes during the game,” Bochy said. “We’ll either shorten it or maybe go another inning.”
On Tuesday, Jung took a major step in the right direction. He faced live pitching and mentioned how practice was completely painless.
With a little over half of the season in the books, Jung has barely stepped foot on the field – he has only played in four games. When Jung initially fractured his wrist in April, the Rangers expected him to be listed on the injured list for no more than 8-10 weeks. However, soreness waves caused an even further delay.
Josh Smith has been the go-to third baseman since Jung’s injury, but with the Rangers only three games behind the Houston Astros, the AL West leaders, Texas is itching for Jung’s return in hopes of playoff contention.
Jung tallied a .782 OPS, slugged 23 home runs and tallied 70 RBIs for the reigning World Series champions last season.
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