Rangers activate 3B Josh Jung & OF Adolis García from injured list
Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced the following roster moves prior to the club’s homestand opener against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night:
- Third baseman Josh Jung activated from 10-day Injured List (left thumb fracture).
- Outfielder Adolis García activated from 10-day Injured List (right patellar tendon strain).
- Catcher Sam Huff optioned to Round Rock (AAA).
- Infielder Jonathan Ornelas optioned to Round Rock (AAA).
Jung is in the Rangers lineup, batting fifth and starting at third base, for tonight’s series opener against Boston, which will be his first game action since August 6. He was placed on the 10-day Injured List with a left thumb fracture on August 7 after suffering the injury while turning a double play in the sixth inning of Texas’ 6-0 win on August 6 vs. Miami. Jung took live batting practice this afternoon at Globe Life Field, facing right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz who is currently on the 15-day Injured List with a left hamstring strain.
The 25-year-old has batted .274/.323/.489/.813 (117-427) with 22 home runs and 67 RBI in 109 games with the Rangers this season, making a team-high 107 starts at third base. Despite missing the last six weeks, Jung still ranks among American League rookies in extra-base hits (T2nd, 47), RBI (3rd), doubles (3rd, 24), home runs (T3rd). His 22 home runs in 2023 are a club record for a rookie third baseman (prev. 15 HR by Dean Palmer in 1991) and are the most by any Texas rookie in a single season since Adolis García in 2021 (31 HR).
García is in tonight’s starting lineup, batting sixth and playing right field. He has batted .244 (125-512) with team highs in home runs (34) and RBI (100) over 135 games this season. He was placed on the 10-day Injured List with a right patellar tendon strain on September 8, two days after exiting in the second inning of Texas’ 12-3 loss on September 6 vs. Houston following a leaping attempt to rob a home run in right field.
The 30-year-old entered today’s slate ranked among American League leaders in RBI (2nd), home runs (3rd), runs (T3rd, 97), and slugging percentage (10th, .494). He earned his second career All-Star selection (also 2021 in Colorado) as one of five Texas position players who started for the American League in the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Seattle.
Ornelas, 23, has played in 8 games/2 starts (both at third base) across two stints with Texas this season (August 7-14, September 9-17), going 1-for-7 with 2 runs scored. He made his Major League debut on August 7 at Oakland after entering the game as a pinch-runner, scoring the go-ahead run for Texas in a 5-3 win. He also collected his first Major League hit on Friday at Cleveland after entering the game as a defensive replacement at shortstop in the 7th inning.
Huff, 25, has batted .256 (11-43) with 3 home runs and 6 RBI in 21 games across four stints with the Rangers this season May 9-16, June 14-29, July 22-August 12, September 1-17). He has spent the majority of the 2023 campaign with Round Rock, where he has slashed .302/.407/.547/.954 (78-258) with 16 home runs and 64 RBI over 65 contests.
Following today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with five players (Jacob deGrom, Ian Kennedy, Brett Martin, Brad Miller, and Jake Odorizzi) on the 60-day Injured List.
