ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers’ third baseman Josh Jung was not part of the lineup Saturday night due to neck spasms, an ailment that marks yet another early season challenge for the player and his team. In a twist of misfortune, his substitute encountered an injury in the initial inning of play.
Manager Bruce Bochy mentioned that Jung would need several days for the neck spasms to subside, leaving open the possibility of a stint on the injured list. “We are uncertain at this moment. Ideally for both him and us, we’d rather avoid it, but it’s an option,” conveyed Bochy prior to the game against Boston. “The issue has recurred, similar to its original flare-up, causing some concern. So today is a wait-and-see scenario.”
Josh Smith took over third base in the series’ third game against Boston, replacing Jung. Unfortunately, in pursuing a foul ball during the first inning, Smith sustained an injury. While trying to make a play, he leaped against the screen-lined railing, colliding with a pole and injuring the left side of his body. Rangers later confirmed that Smith had a left quad contusion.
Despite staying on the field following a prolonged examination from the athletic trainer Matt Lucero, Smith was replaced by Ezequiel Duran, who pinch-hit in his place in the bottom of the first inning and subsequently took over at third.
Jung participated in an exhibition game on Monday at home, stepping up to bat twice before leaving due to neck stiffness. He did not play in the exhibition finale on Tuesday but was in the starting lineup for the first two regular-season matches.
In the Rangers’ 4-1 victory over the Red Sox on Friday, Jung had to leave early after his neck troubles were exacerbated during a defensive effort that saved runs. He made a crucial backhanded play against Alex Bregman’s chopper near the foul line, completing the play with a strong throw across the field for the inning’s final out. “It flared up on that backhand throw to first, resulting in spasms significant enough for us to pull him out,” remarked Bochy. “It was a remarkable play.”
Jung was absent from the clubhouse before Saturday night’s game, leaving media without an opportunity to speak with him. In the first two games, he maintained a .429 batting average with three hits out of seven at-bats and logged one RBI.
At 27, Jung had started last season impressively, hitting .412 with two home runs and six RBIs across the initial four games. However, a pitch-exerted fracture to his right wrist during that season sidelined him for 102 games. He returned on July 30, after also managing a left calf strain during early spring training.
As the No. 8 overall pick of the 2019 amateur draft from Texas Tech, Jung made waves in his rookie season—earning a starting spot in the AL lineup for the All-Star Game in 2023. Yet, another injury tainted his season when he broke his left thumb in a fielding mishap in August at Miami. Despite these setbacks, Jung made a strong comeback, hitting .308 in the playoffs with three homers for the World Series-winning Rangers.
Earlier in his career, Jung underwent shoulder surgery in February 2022 to mend a torn labrum, following a previous surgery to address a left foot stress fracture. He made his major league debut in September 2022, participating in the final 26 games that season.
Thus, the Rangers face challenges early in the season as they hope for Jung’s swift and sustainable recovery.