Injury concerns strike early at Texas Rangers Spring Training

Unfortunately injury concerns have made an early appearance at Texas Rangers Spring Training. Starting third basemen Josh Jung "sustained left calf discomfort while taking ground balls this morning in Surprise" per Jeff Wilson.

It has only been two days since pitchers and catchers reported to Surprise. The rest of the team is not even required to be there until Monday. But it looks as if the second year third basemen arrived to camp a few days early to begin his work and preparation for the 2024 season, where he unfortunately was met with calf discomfort.

Josh Jung is coming off a great rookie season that saw him become the every day third basemen, win a World Series championship, and start at third base for the AL in the All-Star Game in his first full year in the major leagues. Quite a start to his career. Jung had 23 home runs, 70 RBI, and had a .781 OPS at the plate during his rookie campaign in 122 games played. He got even better in the playoffs, hitting three home runs and driving in eight runs, and had a .867 OPS during the postseason. There was some uncertainty around Jung's defense coming into last year, but he quieted those doubts by making plays like this at the hot corner all season as well:

Josh Jung's injury history

Injuries are unfortunately nothing new for Josh Jung, still very early in his major league career. He was considered a front runner for the AL Rookie of the Year Award last season before suffering a broken thumb that required surgical repair. Jung spent the following six weeks on the IL which promptly ended his case for the award. During his time in the minor leagues, Jung suffered both a stress fracture in his foot, as well as a torn labrum in his left shoulder that also required surgery.

In this case, it is also worth noting that we are in the beginning stages of spring training. Minor injuries, soreness, and discomfort come with the territory in this stage of the season. Hopefully, Jung's discomfort is minor and just part of the process of getting ready for the season.

It will be very important the Rangers keep as healthy of a lineup as possible particularly in the first half of the season. A thin starting rotation will have the defending champs relying heavily on their offense in the first half. The Rangers success and how competitive they will be come the All-Star break will be heavily contingent on the health and production of Jung and the rest of the lineup. Hopefully it is just a day-to-day injury, but we will find out in the coming days after Jung undergoes an MRI.

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