Texas Rangers Optimistic Josh Jung, Adolis Garcia Return During Playoff Push

The Texas Rangers have updated the activity and timelines for both third baseman Josh Jung and outfielder Adolis Garcia.

The Texas Rangers have more optimism around the timelines for the return of their two injured sluggers, Josh Jung and Adolis García.

With the Rangers in the midst of a tight playoff race, both could be back before the end of the regular season. Texas (79-64) has 19 games left going Tuesday night's pivotal game at the Toronto Blue Jays.

Jung made steady progress during last week’s homestand from his fractured left thumb, which was surgically repaired nearly five weeks ago. It led manager Bruce Bochy to remark that it was possible that the rookie could return to the lineup by the end of this road trip.

The Dallas Morning News reported that Jung will see a hand specialist, Dr. Don Sheridan, on Thursday in Arizona. That’s an important step in Jung’s recovery. If the hand specialist clears Jung medically, then he could be taking cuts in a batting cage in Arizona after that.

Clearance may not mean a full healing of the injury. Jung told reporters last week that the injury would not completely heal until the offseason. He previously said range of motion and pain tolerance will be the biggest things he’ll need to be productive.

But should he get clearance, the timetable for Jung re-joining the team would be either the tail end of this road trip, which ends on Sunday at the Cleveland Guardians or the start of next week’s homestand Monday against the Boston Red Sox.

That doesn’t mean Jung would be ready to be activated. Bochy said last week that it’s likely Jung would need some kind of rehab assignment, though the cage work in Arizona could, potentially, be enough.

As for García, he injured the right patella tendon in his knee while chasing a fly ball at the wall last week against Houston. He dodged a significant injury, with no tear. He is on the injured list and not eligible to return until Sept. 18.

García, for now, is not with the team. He’s engaging in what general manager Chris Young described as “light” baseball activities. The Rangers haven’t ruled out García returning during the final homestand, perhaps as a designated hitter. He would likely return with no rehab assignment, as Rangers affiliates shut down the regular season on Sept. 24.

He was slashing .244/.322/.494/.816 with a career-high 34 home runs and 100 RBI before the injury. The Rangers called up their No. 1 prospect, Evan Carter, to help in the outfield during García’s absence.

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