Texas Rangers’ Josh Jung Struggles with Hand Discomfort
ARLINGTON — Hand and wrist injuries can be tricky, and the Texas Rangers are experiencing this firsthand with third baseman Josh Jung. Jung missed his second consecutive game on Friday against the Seattle Mariners due to discomfort in his right hand, which stems from an early-season wrist fracture.
The 26-year-old previously missed 103 games this season after suffering the injury from a hit by pitch on April 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Since returning on July 29, he has played in 42 games but is now facing new challenges.
“He wants to try and play through it,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy stated. “I’m going to wait and make sure this thing is okay and see if it’ll clear up. [We want him] to get to a point where he can take his normal swing, and I don’t think he’s there right now.”
Bochy classified Jung as “doubtful” to play over the weekend against the Mariners. He is set to visit Dr. Don Sheridan, the surgeon who performed his wrist surgery in April, on Monday, just ahead of the Rangers’ final road trip against the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels.
Jung shared that he has been managing the discomfort since the Rangers’ series in Cleveland at the end of August but emphasized that it’s not as severe as the pain that interrupted his rehab in June. While he is eager to return to the field, he is cautious about exacerbating the issue.
“I would rather figure out what the legit problem is and find a solution,” Jung explained. “That way, going into spring next year, it doesn’t flare up, and I need to start the season getting cortisone shots.”
Since his return from the injured list, Jung has recorded a slash line of .248/.278/.366 with five home runs, though his recent performance has been concerning, hitting just .154 over his last seven games.
As the Rangers navigate the challenges of Jung’s recovery, fans are left hoping for a swift resolution that allows the young talent to return to full strength.