Rangers Place Josh Jung On IL, Recall Josh Smith - MLB Trade Rumors

What the report says

MLB Trade Rumors reports that the Texas Rangers placed third baseman Josh Jung on the injured list with a right calf strain ahead of Friday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. The club recalled utilityman Josh Smith to provide infield coverage, with Smith starting at third base as Texas faced Seattle right-hander Bryan Woo.

According to the report, Jung exited Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox after reaching on a single and scoring in the third inning. He resumed some running during the week, but Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports relayed that he had not improved enough to avoid an IL move. Texas is hoping the absence is limited to the minimum, which could line him up for a return next weekend against the Houston Astros.

The injury comes at a notable point in the Rangers’ schedule. MLB Trade Rumors noted that Texas was in a four-game series with Seattle and had extended its American League West lead to 1 1/2 games with Friday’s win, while the Mariners were 2 1/2 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot. Jung, 28, has been one of Texas’ key everyday players this season, batting .294 with a .361 on-base percentage and .441 slugging mark over 396 plate appearances.

Smith returns after a difficult season split between the majors and minors. The report says he was demoted in early May after a slow offensive start and has not produced strongly at Triple-A, though he offers defensive value at third base. Jung has dealt with multiple injuries in his career, and the article notes calf trouble has surfaced before, including during the offseason.