Phil Maton of the Tampa Bay Rays hit three Texas Rangers batters during a game on Monday, resulting in Josh Jung being diagnosed with a fractured wrist. As a result, Jung has been placed on the injured list and the Rangers are calling up one of their top prospects, Justin Foscue, from Triple-A Round Rock. Maton hit Evan Carter and Adolis Garcia before hitting Jung on the wrist. There is no timetable for Jung’s return, but Rangers manager Bruce Bochy expressed sympathy for the young player and reassured him that he will bounce back from this setback.
Jung had been off to a strong start in the 2024 season, going 7-for-17 in his first four games with two home runs, a double, and a triple. Throughout his career, Jung has faced various injuries that have sidelined him at different points. Most of his injuries have occurred during camp, including a stress fracture in his left foot in 2021 and a torn labrum in his left shoulder in 2022. Despite these setbacks, Bochy is confident that Jung will overcome this latest injury and have a successful career in baseball. The young player is currently feeling down due to the setback but has been encouraged to stay positive and focus on his eventual return to the field.
Justin Foscue, a 25-year-old prospect, will be promoted from Triple-A to fill in for Jung while he is on the injured list. Foscue, who was the Rangers’ first-round pick in the 2020 draft, has shown versatility in playing first base, second base, and third base. In the previous season, Foscue performed well in Triple-A, boasting a slash line of .266/.394/.468 with 18 home runs and more walks than strikeouts across 122 games. The Rangers also have Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith as options at third base in addition to Foscue, both of whom have filled in for Jung in the past during his periods of absence due to injury.
The Rangers are looking to adjust their lineup and fielding options in the absence of Jung, focusing on giving opportunities to young players like Foscue, Duran, and Smith. Foscue’s promotion to the Major League team presents a chance for him to showcase his skills and contribute to the team’s success. Texas manager Bruce Bochy expressed confidence in the depth of the team’s roster and their ability to adapt to injuries and setbacks throughout the season. While Jung’s injury is unfortunate, the Rangers are determined to support him in his recovery and continue competing in the league with the talent they have available.
Overall, the incident involving Phil Maton hitting multiple Rangers batters, including Josh Jung who suffered a fractured wrist, has raised challenges for the Texas Rangers. However, the team is responding by calling up promising prospect Justin Foscue and exploring other options at third base to fill the gap left by Jung’s absence. Despite the setback, there is optimism and determination within the organization to overcome this adversity and make the necessary adjustments to continue competing in the season. The focus is on supporting Jung in his recovery, giving opportunities to young players like Foscue, and maintaining a competitive spirit throughout the team.
