Texas Rangers Officially Move All-Star Rookie to Injured List

The Texas Rangers moved third baseman Josh Jung to the injured list after he suffered a left thumb fracture on Sunday.

As expected, the Texas Rangers placed third baseman Josh Jung on the injured list on Monday, the result of a left thumb fracture that he suffered on Sunday.

The Rangers promoted infielder Jonathan Ornelas to take Jung’s spot on the 26-man roster.

Jung, on the 10-day IL, injured the thumb trying to field a line drive by Miami’s Jorge Soler, one that had an exit velocity of 109.4 miles per hour. He didn’t make the catch, but he turned a double play after the ball seemed to hit the thumb of his glove. He left the game shortly afterward.

X-rays after the game revealed the fracture and the Rangers send Jung to a specialist for further evaluation.

After Jung left the game on Sunday, the Rangers slid Josh Smith to third base and brought in Ezequiel Duran to play shortstop, as Corey Seager was having an off day.

Jung was a leading candidate for American League Rookie of the Year before the injury. He played his way into a starting role on the AL All-Star team. He is slashing .274/.323/.489/.812 with 22 home runs and 67 RBI. He’s also emerged as an above-average defensive third baseman.

Ornelas is a Top 30 prospect in the Rangers’ system, checking in at No. 14 He’s emerged the past two seasons as one of the most versatile players in the system, as he can play in the outfield, along with three of the four infield positions.

The former third-round pick has been in the Rangers’ system since 2018 and he slashed .250/.360/.348/.708 with five home runs and 39 RBI for Triple-A Round Rock.

It’s the latest injury the Rangers have to deal with. Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is still a couple of weeks away from returning from an elbow strain, catcher Jonah Heim is on the injured list with a left wrist injury and Seager is playing through a sprained right thumb he suffered last month.

---

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.