SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The injury bug goes around every spring, and it hit the Rangers' clubhouse on Saturday morning.
Rangers third baseman Josh Jung has a Grade 1 adductor strain, and he will be held out from baseball activities for at least 10 days. The 28-year-old was scratched from the starting lineup in a Feb. 26 Cactus League game as a precaution because he felt “a little something” in his hamstring that morning. A subsequent MRI revealed the adductor strain.
Jung was 2-for-6 in his first three Cactus League games, and the coaching staff was pleased with his progress throughout camp.
Jung is no stranger to injuries, though his 131 games last season were by far the most of his big league career.
“The thing about Josh is that he's such a hard worker,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I think he's going to get back quicker than that 14-day mark. His process has been so good. I felt like his work in the cages, in the backfield and the lives were about to translate on the field. In the first couple games, he hit the ball as hard as anybody. I thought he was just trending in the right direction. Honestly, if there's stuff happening, I'd rather it happen now.”
Additionally, infielder Justin Foscue has also been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain. He left Texas' 6-0 win over the Angels on Monday with right hamstring tightness. Unlike Jung, Foscue was fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster in camp.
“It doesn't change anything as far as his chances,” Schumaker said. “He's just gonna lose at-bats, which sucks for him. But I think as far as him breaking camp or anything, there's still four weeks left. He'll still have two weeks left of camp, really, to try to build up. He should get more at-bats.”