Rangers activate 3B Josh Jung and LHP Cody Bradford, among 11 moves after Michael Lorenzen traded
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 22: Michael Lorenzen #23 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Globe Life Field on July 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS - The Texas Rangers activated third baseman Josh Jung and left-hander Cody Bradford from the 60-day injured list Monday, among moves involving 11 players that the reigning World Series champions made after trading right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen.
Right-hander Jon Gray was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain. It came a day after he felt discomfort while warming up in the bottom of the first inning at Toronto and didn't throw a pitch in the game.
Jung, voted in as an All-Star starter as a rookie last season, had his right wrist broken after getting hit by a pitch April 1. He wasn't in the starting lineup for the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night. He hit .412 (7 of 17) with two homers and six RBIs and five runs scored in the first four games of the season.
Bradford was 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA in three starts at the beginning of the season for the Rangers, the last on April 10. He went on the IL the next day with a low back strain that was eventually determined to be a rib stress fracture.
Rangers acquire catcher Carson Kelly from Tigers for 2 minor leaguers
The Texas Rangers have acquired catcher Carson Kelly from the Detroit Tigers for two minor leaguers. Kelly, who will likely back up Gold Glove winner Jonah Heim, batted .240 with seven homers and 29 RBIs in 60 games for the Tigers this season.
Texas, also before Monday's game, recalled infielder Ezequiel Duran and right-hander Gerson Garabito from Triple-A Round Rock, while optioning infielders Justin Foscue and Jonathan Ornelas, and catcher Andrew Knizner to that minor league club. Outfielder Evan Carter (lumbar sprain) was transferred from the 10-day IL to 60-day IL, infielder Davis Wendzel was designated for assignment and right-hander Austin Pruitt was released.
The Rangers traded Lorenzen (5-6, 3.81 ERA) to Kansas City in exchange for minor league left-hander Walter Pennington earlier Monday, a day after acquiring catcher Carson Kelly from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for two minor leaguers.
Lorenzen signed a $4.5 million, one-year contract with the Rangers late in spring training and made his season debut April 15. In his final start for Texas on Saturday, the right-hander allowed four runs and five hits while recording only two outs at Toronto. He then pitched again Sunday, and gave up one run over four innings in relief.