Rangers option former All-Star Jung to minors
The Texas Rangers optioned former All-Star third baseman Josh Jung to Triple-A Round Rock, they announced Wednesday.
Infielder Jake Burger was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.
Jung had been the Rangers' primary third baseman for most of this season despite his continued offensive struggles. However, a woeful June that saw him post a .429 OPS with one home run in 101 plate appearances ultimately pushed the team to send him down.
For the season, he's hitting a career-low .237/.283/.366 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs over 75 games, while accruing minus-2 defensive runs saved with the glove.
"I think it's fair to say he's been going through some struggles here these past three, four weeks," manager Bruce Bochy told reporters, per Rangers broadcaster Jared Sandler. "And we just think the best thing right now for Josh, for this club, is ... that we let him get at-bats (at) Round Rock (and) get his game back, get his confidence back. We need him."
The 27-year-old burst onto the scene in 2023, when he finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting and was an All-Star while helping Texas win the World Series. However, he was limited to 46 games in 2024 due to injuries.
Ezequiel Duran is starting at third for Texas on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles. Duran and utility player Josh Smith could both see increased time at the hot corner while Jung is in the minors. Other players on the Rangers' active roster with experience at the position include Justin Foscue, Sam Haggerty, and Michael Helman.
Texas enters play Wednesday sitting fourth in the AL West.