Injuries & Moves: Otto recalled; Hernández optioned
LATEST NEWS
Aug. 28: RHP Glenn Otto recalled from Triple-A Round Rock; RHP Jonathan Hernández optioned to Triple-A
After a 13-inning marathon during Sunday’s series finale against the Twins, the Rangers recalled Otto for bullpen help. It will be the right-hander’s second stint with the big league club this season, the first coming from June 30-July 22, when he allowed 10 earned runs over four relief appearances. He’s posted a 3.38 ERA with Triple-A Round Rock, where he’s spent most of the season.
Hernández took the walk-off loss in the finale against the Twins in his only appearance since being recalled the previous day. He opened the season with the big league club, but struggled down the stretch, leading to his option on June 5. He’s posted a 6.45 ERA over 26 relief appearances with the Rangers.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Nathan Eovaldi (right forearm strain)
Expected return: Possibly early September
Manager Bruce Bochy said on Aug. 27 that Eovaldi was feeling tightness in his side after his latest bullpen session. Bochy said there is nothing wrong with Eovaldi’s arm, but the team just wants to be cautious with the All-Star right-hander and not cause any further issues. Bochy said Eovaldi, who was going to play catch before the Rangers' Aug. 27 game in Minnesota, had a “great” bullpen session on Aug. 24 but reported feeling the tightness in his side.
“There’s a little tightness, that’s all,” Bochy said. “We’re just backing off a little bit so this doesn’t get worse.”
After giving Eovaldi a few days following his latest bullpen session, the team has decided the right-hander will throw another on Aug. 29 in New York. Eovaldi, who is 11-3 with a 2.69 ERA, has been out since July 27 with a right forearm strain.
Eovaldi could return straight to the Texas rotation, but Bochy also said the team has discussed a possible rehab assignment.
Eovaldi threw a bullpen session of about 40 pitches on Aug. 13 in San Francisco and another on Aug. 16 back in Arlington before upgrading to a live BP session of two innings -- including warming up for a third -- while at Chase Field in Arizona on Aug. 21. He also threw a bullpen session on Aug. 24 in Minnesota. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
INF Josh Jung (left thumb fracture)
Expected return: Possibly late September
Jung underwent successful surgery on his fractured left thumb on Aug. 9, performed by hand specialist Dr. Don Sheridan. Jung sustained the injury while knocking down a 109.4 mph line drive with his glove hand to start a double play on Aug. 6.
The tentative timeline for Jung's recovery is six weeks, during which he will rehab with the big league club. Manager Bruce Bochy said he expects Jung to play again in the regular season. (Last updated: Aug. 9)
60-day IL
RHP Jacob deGrom (right UCL repair surgery)
Expected return: Second half of 2024 at the earliest
A day after deGrom was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day IL on June 5, the club announced that the veteran right-hander would need to have UCL repair surgery on his right elbow. He underwent the successful procedure on June 12, and on June 18, deGrom said that he hopes to return in August 2024. General manager Chris Young made sure to point out that timelines are fluid when it comes to injuries.
It was the second similar operation for the 34-year-old deGrom, who underwent Tommy John surgery for the first time following his debut season as a professional in 2010.
deGrom left his April 28 start against the Yankees in the fourth inning with what was announced postgame as right forearm tightness. He went on the IL the following day after an MRI exam showed elbow inflammation. deGrom also left his start on April 17 against the Royals due to right wrist soreness, but he returned for his next scheduled outing against the A’s on April 23. (Last updated: June 18)
RHP Jake Odorizzi (right shoulder fatigue)
Expected return: 2024
Odorizzi will miss the entire 2023 season after undergoing an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his right shoulder. The right-hander entered camp with shoulder fatigue and did not throw against live batters at all this spring.
General manager Chris Young said that, after continued evaluation, team physician Dr. Keith Meister decided they had exhausted all non-surgical options for his rehab. (Last updated: April 7)
LHP Brett Martin (left shoulder)
Expected return: TBD
Martin’s health was addressed during the salary negotiation in arbitration; he underwent surgery on his left shoulder in late January. The timeline for his return is unclear.
Martin posted a 4.14 ERA out of the bullpen in 2022, but he landed on the IL with a strained left shoulder in late September. He was moved to the 60-day IL on Feb. 17 to make room for outfielder Robbie Grossman on the 40-man roster. Martin last pitched on Sept. 16. (Last updated: Feb. 25)