Rangers' Josh Jung to miss 2-3 weeks with calf strain

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung is set to miss two to three weeks after suffering a calf strain while fielding ground balls on Friday.

He got an MRI that reportedly showed a low-grade calf strain, but he is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Jung has been hampered by injuries since he was selected by Texas with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2019 amateur draft.

He was in the middle of a breakout rookie season last year when he broke his left thumb on a fielding play against Miami on Aug. 6. He hit .274 with 22 homers and 67 RBIs before the injury, and then batted .196 with a homer and three RBIs in 13 games after he came back.

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 18: Josh Jung #6 of the Texas Rangers prepares to bat against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Globe Life Field on September 18, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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Jung, who turned 26 on Monday, rebounded in the playoffs, hitting .308 (20 for 65) with three homers and eight RBIs as Texas won the World Series.

Asked last month about what he learned from his first full big league season, Jung responded: "Stay healthy."

"I think I’ve learned that three straight years," he said. "It’s been three straight years of surgeries for me. So yeah, I know that one. But this time I’ve got to keep my eye on the ball and not let the ball move and break my thumb."

He had surgery in February 2022 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He also had an operation to repair a stress fracture in his left foot in March 2021.

The Associated Press contributed to this report