Texas Rangers top prospect Josh Jung out at least six months with torn left labrum
Texas Rangers top prospect Josh Jung underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, sidelining him for at least six months and preventing him from competing for the starting job at third base, general manager Chris Young announced from the team’s minor league camp in Surprise, Ariz.
Jung was initially shut down Friday after injuring his shoulder while lifting weights.
Further tests revealed a tear, requiring surgery on Wednesday by team physician Keith Meister in Arlington.
Young said the club expects Jung to make a full recovery and be available to serve as designated hitter by August.
“It’s a tough break for Josh but we are confident he will make a full recovery and bounce back from this,” Young said on a conference call with reporters.
Picked No. 8 overall in 2019, Jung was expected to make his major league debut in 2022 after a strong 2021 season in 78 games between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock.
In 342 plate appearances, Jung posted a .326 batting average, .398 on-base percentage and .592 slugging percentage with 19 home runs.
And this was after getting a late start to his minor league season due to a stress fracture in his foot.
The Rangers will likely turn to 2020 Gold Glover Isiah Kiner-Falefa as the opening day starter at third base.
“I do feel we have a lot of in-field depth,” Young said. “I am confident in the group that we have.”
The good news is that Jung’s injury was not his throwing shoulder.
If there are no setbacks in rehab, the Rangers are confident in the timeline that will allow him to serve as a designated hitter in six months.
They will then evaluate his ability to play in the field.
Based on what they have seen from him so far from his play and his work ethic, the Rangers remain high on Jung’s ability to have a great future.
“Josh wants to be as good as he can be,” Young said. “He had a couple of bad breaks with the foot and shoulder. When he has been out on the field he has performed and he has been fun to watch.The thing that sticks out is the character of the person and his willingness to be great. We are confident that when he is healthy, he will be.”
This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 3:11 PM.
