The Texas Rangers were in strong position to secure the AL West’s top spot during the 2025 season, but a late collapse—losing eight of their final 10 games—dropped them to third place.
In response, the team brought in manager Skip Schumaker to change their trajectory, with plans to rely more heavily on Josh Jung at third base. Jung missed much of Spring Training due to an adductor injury, raising concerns about his readiness.
However, those worries quickly faded once he returned to action. In limited exhibition play, Jung looked dominant, including blasting a 417-foot home run against the Kansas City Royals.
Across Spring Training, he posted an eye-popping .545/.545/1.091 slash line, showing he may be poised for a breakout season heading into Opening Day against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jung himself expressed confidence in his recovery, noting that once his leg felt normal again, he knew his performance would follow. His strong showing helped power the Rangers to a convincing 12-3 win over the Royals, further boosting optimism around his return.
Despite the impressive results, Schumaker remains cautious, emphasizing that Jung’s swing—previously impacted by the injury—still needs refinement. While his running and fielding have been solid, the team continues to monitor his overall form closely.
With a few more Spring Training games remaining against teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants, the Rangers will use that time to ensure Jung is fully ready, though signs suggest his injury concerns are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
