The Texas Rangers announced today that Justin Foscue has been placed on the 15-day disabled list due to an oblique injury. To replace him on the active roster, the Rangers have acquired infielder Davis Wendzel’s contract from AAA Round Rock. To make place for Wendzel on the 40-man roster, the Rangers moved Josh Jung from the 15-day to the 60-day injury list.
It’s surprising that Foscue is on the disabled list after hitting a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning of yesterday’s game. However, he allegedly felt something in that at bat, and it was decided today that an i.l. stint was required. There is still no news on how long he will be out.
Wendzel was a supplemental first-round pick from Baylor in 2019. He possesses power, walks frequently, and plays solid infield defense, but he has struggled with contact and staying on the field throughout his professional career. Wendzel hit.236/.361/.477 in 124 games for Round Rock in 2023, predominantly at shortstop and third base. He was discussed as a potential 40-man roster addition during the summer, but he was exposed to the Rule 5 Draft (he was also Rule 5 eligible after 2022) and was not taken.
Wendzel is off to a fast start this season with Round Rock, hitting.314/.419/.657 in nine games. He will most likely platoon with Josh Smith at third base for the time being, while Ezequiel Duran will platoon with Jared Walsh at first base until Nathaniel Lowe recovers.
Jung will most certainly be gone for 8-10 weeks following his wrist surgery, according to Christopher Young. That timeframe implies he would be gone for at least 60 days, thus transferring him would make sense to free up a roster space.
