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Struggling Rangers Third Baseman Sent to Minors in Surprising Midseason Move
ARLINGTON – In a tough twist, one of the heroes of the Texas Rangers’ 2023 World Series title has been demoted. Third baseman Josh Jung, once a key piece of the championship run, was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday after a long slump at the plate — despite being healthy all season for the first time in years.
Jung has struggled to hit all year and recently looked lost at the plate. Although he’s appeared in 75 games — his second-most ever — his offensive production has collapsed. Once praised for his powerful bat and elite defense, Jung now finds himself replaced in the lineup by Ezequiel Duran, who entered Wednesday’s game batting just .145 and hitting ninth.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy admitted Jung needs a reset and said the goal is for him to regain his swing and confidence in a lower-pressure environment. The move isn’t shocking, but it is disappointing. Just two years ago, Jung made the All-Star team and was a force in the playoffs. Now, he’s 27 and trying to fix his swing in the minors.
This isn’t the first time the Rangers have used the minors to revive a struggling bat — they did the same with designated hitter Jake Burger earlier this season, and it paid off. The team is hoping for the same with Jung, but the stakes are higher. The Rangers need him to be more than just decent — they need him to return to form if they hope to turn their season around.
