The Texas Rangers have received a significant boost to their roster at an important stage of the season, with third baseman Josh Jung and veteran pitcher Nathan Eovaldi both returning from the injured list.
The Rangers announced the moves on September 12, bringing two experienced players back into the fold as the club continues its push through the final stretch of the 2026 campaign. Their returns could provide Texas with additional depth on both sides of the ball at a time when every game carries added importance.
To create space on the active roster, the Rangers optioned pitcher Adam Macko and designated hitter/catcher Logan O’Hoppe to Triple-A Round Rock.
Jung’s return is particularly encouraging for Texas because he had been enjoying one of the strongest seasons of his career before suffering an injury. The third baseman was placed on the injured list in July after experiencing a calf problem that initially did not appear to be especially serious.
At first, the expectation was that Jung might only need to miss a game or two. Instead, the injury proved considerably more troublesome and ultimately kept him away from the Rangers for nearly two months.
Before the injury interrupted his season, Jung had produced an impressive offensive line. He was batting .294 with a .361 on-base percentage and a .441 slugging percentage. Those numbers demonstrated how important he had become to the Rangers’ lineup and why his absence was felt throughout the team.
Rather than immediately returning Jung to the major league roster, Texas allowed him to work his way back through a rehabilitation assignment with Round Rock.
That assignment gave the Rangers an opportunity to evaluate his physical condition and gradually get him accustomed to competitive baseball again. Jung also spent time at his regular position, playing third base in each of his final two minor league games before being activated.
His return should give the Rangers another familiar option in the infield while potentially adding more stability to their offensive attack. After spending such a long period on the sidelines, the primary question will be how quickly Jung can regain the form he showed earlier in the season.
For Texas, however, simply having him available again represents an important development.
Eovaldi’s return comes with a different set of questions.
The veteran right-hander last appeared for the Rangers on August 7, when he delivered a strong performance against the Baltimore Orioles. Eovaldi worked 5.1 innings in that outing and allowed just one run, giving Texas an encouraging start before an elbow problem forced him onto the injured list.
Unlike Jung, Eovaldi did not participate in a minor league rehabilitation assignment before being activated.
That makes his immediate role with the Rangers somewhat uncertain.
Because he has been away from game action since August 7 and did not have the benefit of a formal rehab start, Texas could take a cautious approach with him. Rather than immediately asking Eovaldi to handle a full starter’s workload, the Rangers could initially deploy him out of the bullpen.
Such a move would allow the club to monitor his workload and see how his elbow responds to competitive pitching without immediately placing the demands of a traditional starting assignment on him.
The bullpen option would also give Texas another experienced arm as the season moves toward its conclusion.
Eovaldi’s presence has historically provided value because of his ability to handle pressure and pitch deep into games when healthy. His return could therefore become an important development for the Rangers, even if his workload is initially limited.
The uncertainty surrounding his role will likely make his next appearance especially interesting. Whether Texas eventually transitions him back into the rotation or keeps him in relief may depend on how he responds physically and how the team’s pitching situation develops.
Meanwhile, the corresponding roster moves involving Macko and O’Hoppe show the difficult decisions that come with activating players from the injured list.
Macko, who had been providing pitching depth, was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. O’Hoppe, who can contribute both behind the plate and as a designated hitter, was also sent back to the minor leagues.
Those moves create room for two returning players who could have an immediate impact on the Rangers.
For Jung, the goal will be to rediscover the consistency he demonstrated before his calf injury. His .294 batting average and .361 on-base percentage were encouraging indicators, and getting that production back into the lineup could help Texas generate more offense.
For Eovaldi, the situation is more complicated. His elbow issue and extended absence mean the Rangers will have to carefully manage his return. A bullpen role would provide a natural way for the club to ease him back into action while still benefiting from his experience.
The timing of both returns is also significant.
With the Rangers approaching the final portion of the regular season, there is little time to waste. Texas needs healthy players and dependable contributions across the roster, and having Jung and Eovaldi available gives the club more options.
Jung can strengthen the infield and lineup, while Eovaldi can provide another experienced arm for the pitching staff.
The Rangers will now have to determine exactly how best to use both players.
Jung appears positioned to resume his role at third base after completing his rehabilitation assignment. Eovaldi’s situation will require more caution, particularly because he has not pitched in a rehab game since going on the injured list.
Still, the fact that both players have been activated represents encouraging news for Texas.
The Rangers have endured injuries throughout the season, and bringing important contributors back at this stage could help them navigate the demanding closing stretch. Whether their returns translate into a meaningful improvement will depend on how quickly they can return to their previous levels of performance.
For now, though, Texas has two familiar names back on its roster.
Jung’s offensive production and defensive presence could immediately help the team, while Eovaldi’s experience gives the pitching staff another valuable option. Even if the right-hander begins his return in the bullpen, his presence could eventually provide the Rangers with greater flexibility.
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding both players, the Rangers can finally move forward with Jung and Eovaldi available again.
Their next appearances will be closely watched, particularly as Texas tries to make the most of the remaining games on its schedule. If both players can stay healthy and regain their form, their returns could prove to be among the more important developments for the Rangers during the final weeks of the season.
