How Long Will Texas Rangers Third Baseman Josh Jung Be Out With Injury? And Who Replaces Him?

Josh Jung sustained a low-grade left calf strain while fielding ground balls Friday and will be out for at least three weeks recovering. Who will get work at third while he's out?

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Josh Jung was still shaking his head in bemused annoyance Saturday morning.

The Texas Rangers All-Star third baseman had to be driven off on a medical cart after straining his left calf while taking ground balls on Friday.

The injury occurred only minutes after Jung arrived at the Rangers' spring training complex, three days earlier than necessary for position players.

Jung, who turned 26 five days ago, will let the low-grade strain recover for about three weeks, manager Bruce Bochy said.

"He'll be looked at some more today, but we're looking at three weeks at minimum," Bochy said. "We'll reevaluate where he's at. We're hopeful that he'll be ready for opening day."

A year ago, he missed five weeks after fracturing his left thumb on a ground ball during a game last August. He returned early and played the entire postseason with a swollen left thumb. In fact, it was still swollen in January.

Jung, who walked into the clubhouse with a wrap around his left calf, shrugged off the injury with some humor.

"Here we go again," he said.

A stress fracture in his foot sidelined Jung for much of 2021. He had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in 2022.

"He's a tough kid. He's had to deal with some tough luck," Bochy said. "We saw it last year. I'm sure he's disappointed, but we're hoping he'll be ready to go on Opening Day."

Ezequiel Duran, Josh Smith, Jonathan Ornelas and Davis Wendzel will all get reps at third while Jung is out. Another option could be Justin Foscue, who was working out at first base on Friday. Foscue has mostly been a second baseman, but the club is looking for more position options for the prospect, with Marcus Semien entrenched at second.

Josh Jung has arrived. Jung on having a winning team mentality in the postseason & the All-Star Game being in Arlington ...#TexasRangers pic.twitter.com/FhZvUC9GjI

— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) February 16, 2024

If there is a silver lining to Jung's injury, Bochy reluctantly agreed, it is the opportunity to get more unknown players playing time this spring. Especially with shortstop Corey Seager out for most of the spring recovering from hernia surgery.

Bochy would prefer to get Duran more reps in the outfield this spring. So, between Duran and Smith and the two openings on the left side of the infield, the others could see ample time filling in for Jung.

Texas Rangers' Josh Jung Injured Minutes After Spring Training Arrival

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