The Texas Rangers have made several roster moves, recalling third baseman Josh Jung, outfielder Michael Helman, and pitcher Cole Winn from AAA Round Rock. This announcement comes as pitcher Chris Martin has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left calf strain. To create room for these changes, infielder Justin Foscue and outfielder Alejandro Osuna have been optioned back to AAA Round Rock.
Martin’s injury was sustained in last night’s game, and given the circumstances, it was expected he would head to the injured list. The Rangers are anticipating the return of pitcher Jon Gray later this week; however, since Gray threw 61 pitches in his last outing, he won’t be available for today’s game. Consequently, Cole Winn has been called up to provide fresh relief for the team. If Gray is activated and joins the rotation, Winn may be sent back to AAA. Additionally, if the rotation remains intact with no trades or further injuries, Kumar Rocker appears to be the most likely candidate for demotion.
Josh Jung’s return comes sooner than expected, having been out for 19 days. This timing suggests the team may have aimed to maximize his service time for future seasons. Although Jung’s performance in his brief stint at AAA was modest, with a slash line of .205/.225/.410 in 40 plate appearances and eight strikeouts against one walk, he showed potential by hitting home runs in two of his last three games. As a result, it’s projected that he will resume his role at third base.
Foscue’s performance has not met expectations as he is now headed back to AAA after struggling in his latest outing against Tarik Skubal, going 0 for 3 with two strikeouts. Michael Helman’s recall occurred due to the vacancy left by Martin, allowing for a swap without adhering to the typical 10-day waiting period.
These roster adjustments reflect the Rangers’ strategic moves to ensure they have the necessary support as they navigate player injuries while also considering future player development and service time implications.