Texas Rangers Roster
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Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) still has not resumed swinging a bat and is at least six weeks from returning to the Rangers' starting lineup. Given the complex nature of his wrist fracture, Jung's recovery has been delayed, but he needs to remain stashed in all fantasy formats for his power upside in a strong Rangers lineup when he's back in the fold. The 26-year-old former eighth overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Tech has developed a bit of a reputation for being injury-prone early in his career, missing time with an injury in 2023 while also injuring his calf in spring training this year. Jung had surgery for his fractured right wrist on April 2 but resumed playing catch this week. Fantasy managers must remain patient. As a first-time All-Star in 2023, Jung hit .266 with 23 homers and 70 RBI in 122 games, and he already had two homers in his first four games this year before fracturing his wrist.
Texas Rangers right-handed pitching prospect Kumar Rocker (elbow), who is just past his one-year anniversary of elbow surgery, is throwing at Globe Life Field on Friday and could face live hitters shortly. The 24-year-old was reportedly throwing from 120 feet in late February in his throwing program while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery last May. Once Rocker starts throwing off a mound to live hitters, he may not be that far off from going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The Rangers surely aren't going to rush the third overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft out of Vanderbilt, but Rocker is hoping to be pitching in live games around midseason. He only made six minor-league starts for High-A Hickory last year and went 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with seven walks and 42 K's in 28 innings. The team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, probably won't be an option to make his big-league debut until 2025.
Texas Rangers right-handers Dane Dunning (shoulder) and Nathan Eovaldi (groin) were scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Friday. If all goes well with Dunning's bullpen, he could return from the injured list next week to pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies. Dunning was put on the 15-day injured list on May 8 with a strained right rotator cuff, but he also threw a bullpen on Tuesday and is approaching his return to the starting rotation. He's been up and down so far this year and would make for an extremely shaky streaming option without going on a minor-league rehab assignment if he faces the Phillies next week. Eovaldi's bullpen will mark his first time throwing off the mound since suffering a right-groin strain on May 3. The 34-year-old isn't going to come off the IL when eligible on Saturday, but the hard-throwing right-hander deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues after his strong start to 2024.
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that outfielder Evan Carter (back) will be available off the bench on Friday versus the Los Angeles Angels. Carter is dealing with lower-back inflammation and has not played since May 10, but it's a good sign that he's at least available to play later in the series opener against the Angels. The 21-year-old lefty swinger received a cortisone injection in his back on Monday and could be ready to rejoin the starting lineup this weekend on either Saturday or Sunday. After an impressive showing in his rookie season in 2023 while helping the Rangers win their first championship, Carter is struggling in his first full campaign, batting .216/.303/.416 with five homers and 15 RBI in 142 plate appearances. Carter's upside makes him stash-worthy in all leagues, though. Ezequiel Duran is starting in left field again and will bat seventh against Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson.
Texas Rangers left-hander Brock Burke (hand) has been sent to the Arizona Complex League Rangers in the Rookie league on a minor-league rehab assignment. Burke is scheduled to pitch for the ACL Rangers in Thursday's game against the ACL Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Burke is trying to recover from a broken right (non-throwing) hand that landed him on the injured list on April 13. The 27-year-old southpaw had allowed five earned runs on nine hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out five in three innings out of the Texas bullpen earlier this year before going on the shelf. Since he's currently on the 60-day injured list, Burke will not be eligible to return to the team's big-league bullpen until June 12. When healthy, Burke isn't on the fantasy radar in a middle-relief role.