The Texas Rangers have recalled third baseman Josh Jung, outfielder Michael Helman and pitcher Cole Winn from AAA Round Rock, the team announced today. Pitcher Chris Martin has been placed on the 15 day injured list with a left calf strain. Infielder Justin Foscue and outfielder Alejandro Osuna have been optioned to AAA Round Rock.
Okay, let’s do the easy one first. Martin left last night’s game with what was said to be a calf strain, and I think the expectation was that he would be placed on the injured
list. Jon Gray will most likely return from the injured list later this week, but after throwing 61 pitches on Saturday, he wouldn’t be available today. Thus, Winn gets the nod to give the Rangers a fresh arm. Once Gray is activated, if he (or one of the current members of the rotation) goes to the pen, Winn most likely will be sent down. If Gray joins the rotation, and no one is traded or put on the i.l., Kumar Rocker would seem to be the most likely candidate to be sent down.
Meanwhile, Josh Jung has returned. I’m surprised he is back this quickly, though he was down exactly 19 days, by my count, and if he were down 20 days he would not get a full year’s service time for 2025. Maybe the team promised him they’d bring him up by now?
Jung wasn’t exactly tearing it up, slashing .205/.225/.410 in 40 plate appearances, though he homered in two of his last three games (though those games were in Las Vegas). He also has 8 Ks against just one walk, which isn’t all that encouraging. That said, it appears he is going to be playing third base regularly again as of now.
Foscue and Helman swapped places on Thursday, with Bruce Bochy saying Foscue was going to be platooning with Rowdy Tellez at first base. Foscue started against Tarik Skubal yesterday and was 0 for 3 with 2 Ks, and now is headed back to AAA.
I am assuming that Helman was eligible to be recalled so soon after being sent down because Martin went on the injured list, and he could be recalled to replace someone who went on the i.l. without waiting the 10 days or however long it is. Why they sent Helman down in the first place, instead of Alejandro Osuna, I don’t know.
