Josh Jung, the Texas Rangers’ third baseman, and outfielder Evan Carter are still recovering at Globe Life Field.
ARLINGTON — Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy refrained from setting a specific timeline for injured third baseman Josh Jung but offered an optimistic outlook on Saturday at Globe Life Field.
“I’d say he could be in a position to assist us by the start of August,” Bochy noted.
Jung has been close to returning before and has undergone rehab assignments, but he remains on the 60-day injured list due to a fractured right wrist.
Bochy mentioned that Friday involved more intensive cage work under the stadium, while Saturday’s activities included sprints, base running, and some light hitting.
Bochy did not specify when Jung might resume a rehab assignment, but if he’s expected to be ready by early August, the assignment should start soon.
Jung’s last minor league game was on June 20 with Triple-A Round Rock, after which he returned to Arlington with hopes of a swift activation.
Although the fracture is healed, Jung has experienced recurring stiffness and soreness in his wrist, which has delayed his return.
Before his injury, Jung was batting .412 with two home runs and six RBI. He was hit by a pitch on April 1 against Tampa Bay and subsequently had surgery, which revealed a more severe break than initially thought. He has been on the 60-day IL since April 8 and is eligible for activation.
In other news, outfielder Evan Carter also engaged in baserunning drills on Saturday as he recovers from lower back soreness. Bochy mentioned that Carter, the left-handed rookie, is set to take batting practice at Globe Life Field on Tuesday.
It remains uncertain if Carter will start a rehab assignment afterward and where it might be. In late June, he traveled to Arizona to begin swinging the bat at the team’s spring training complex in Surprise, with plans for a rehab assignment once he’s ready.
Carter landed on the 15-day IL in June due to lower back soreness, his second such issue this season. He missed seven games in May but did not go on the injured list then.
The Rangers believe Carter’s decline in performance this season is partly due to this injury. At the time of his IL stint, he was hitting .188/.272/.361/.633 with five home runs and 15 RBI.
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