SURPRISE, Ariz. — Josh Jung took a big step towards a return to the Texas Rangers lineup on Monday.
The All-Star third baseman, who strained his left calf on Feb. 16, played in his first spring game, a backfield minor league game in which he led off as a designated hitter four times.
He was 2 for 4 with two singles.
"It's something I haven't done since Game 5 [of the World Series], so being able to do it again, knowing how it felt, it was all good," Jung said. "No hesitancy, everything's good. I'm good."
Jung is expected to play third in a game by the end of the week. Manager Bruce Bochy said the plan is to have him play in the final two exhibition games against the Boston Red Sox on March 25-26 at Globe Life Field. He expects to be ready for the season opener against the Chicago Cubs on March 28 in Arlington.
"I haven't had any opportunities to really push it yet, and that's what they've been doing a good job of keeping me from doing," he said. "I wasn't thinking about it at all."
Langford Leads MLB
Top prospect Wyatt Langford collected his MLB-leading 17th RBI in Monday's Cactus League game against the Seattle Mariners. Langford has five home runs, two doubles, an MLB-best .757 slugging percentage, and 1.198 OPS.
Thinning It Down
The cuts and moves required to trim the roster to 26 continued on Monday afternoon, with the Rangers reassigned catcher José Godoy and outfielders Sandro Fabian and Elier Hernandez to minor league camp.
Quotable
"It's good to see him square up a couple of balls today. I'm sure he was glad to see it, too. I know it's spring training, but still, to have some good swings out there. He put a couple of really nice swings and drove the ball today." — Manager Bruce Bochy on Adolis Garcia going 2 for 3 with a double and a homer in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Mariners
"He did what Corey does. He hit the ball hard." — Josh Jung on watching Corey Seager take his first live batting practice Monday morning
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