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Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) played some catch on Wednesday before the team's game against the visiting Cleveland Guardians. It's the first baseball activity that Jung has done since he had surgery on April 2 to fix a fractured right wrist. It's good progress for the 26-year-old right-handed slugger, but it's just the start for Jung as he looks to overcome his wrist injury. Once he's able to hit live pitching, then Jung could be close to going on a minor-league rehab assignment. Barring any setbacks along the way in his rehab from wrist surgery, Jung could be an option to return as Texas' starting third baseman around the middle of June. The former eighth overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Tech was an All-Star in his first full season last year in Texas, hitting .266 (127-for-478) with 23 homers and 70 RBI in 122 games. Jung has developed a reputation for being injury-prone early in his career, but he should still be rostered in all fantasy formats while he recovers.
Texas Rangers rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford (hamstring) ran the arc of the infielder before Wednesday's game against the visiting Cleveland Guardians. It comes after Langford said on Monday that he has been able to run at around 85-90 percent intensity as he rehabs from a strained right hamstring that was expected to keep him out for three to four weeks. The 22-year-old fourth overall pick last year out of Florida began swinging a bat last Friday, but the Rangers aren't going to rush their prized outfield prospect back too soon. In his first 31 major-league games before going on the injured list, Langford went 26-for-116 (.224) with a home run, 11 RBI, a stolen base and 13 runs scored. Despite his slow start, Langford's sky-high upside makes him stash-worthy in all fantasy formats.
Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (elbow, neck, triceps) said he has had MRI exams on his elbow, neck and triceps and all of the imaging has come back clean. Scherzer is going to attempt to play light catch on Wednesday and will learn to manage his neck issue. The 39-year-old three-time Cy Young winner had surgery on Dec. 15 to fix a disc issue in his back and was hoping to return in May, but he was placed on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and now won't be eligible to return before May 27. A recent thumb injury caused him to be shut down, which essentially assured that he wouldn't make his season debut for the defending champions until June. For now, there's no timeline on Scherzer's return, although his Hall of Fame resume makes him deserving of being stashed in all fantasy leagues.
Texas Rangers rookie starting pitcher Jack Leiter picked up the loss in Tuesday night's 7-4 defeat versus the Cleveland Guardians. Leiter finished the contest, allowing six runs in only 1 2/3 innings pitched. In three starts to begin his big league career, Leiter has been abysmal, with his ERA sitting at 16.39 while failing to make it past the fourth inning in any of his matchups. The young right-hander was only up for a spot start filling in for Nathan Eovaldi (groin). Even if it wasn't just a spot start, it's hard to imagine he would get another turn in the rotation after his performance on Tuesday night. Leiter is currently not scheduled for another start in the majors, and the announcement of his demotion back to Triple-A Round Rock should be coming soon.
Texas Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and looks as though he could return quickly from his injured-list stint. This was Dunning's first bullpen session since going on the 15-day injured list on May 8 with a right rotator-cuff strain. If the 29-year-old doesn't have any setbacks after throwing a couple of bullpen sessions, he could be ready to return to the Rangers when he's eligible to return next Monday. Before landing on the shelf, Dunning opened the year 3-2 with a 4.10 ERA (4.88 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP while walking 17 and striking out 43 in 37 1/3 innings over his seven starts. Dunning has been successful with a high whiff rate so far this year, but he's also allowing lots of hard contact, which makes him a volatile fantasy option as a streamer when he's back in Texas' rotation.