2020 first-rounder Foscue called up
The Texas Rangers will replace their injured 2019 first-round draft pick with their 2020 first-round draft pick: Justin Foscue.
Two people with knowledge of the Rangers’ plans said Tuesday the club would add Foscue to the roster for Tuesday’s game against Tampa Bay. Jung suffered a fractured wrist after being hit by a pitch in the ninth inning of Monday’s 9-3 win. He will be placed on the injured list.
Foscue, 25, is the prospect with the most ability to replace a big chunk of Jung’s offensive capabilities. Though he was 3-for-13 with a pair of walks in Triple-a Round Rock’s opening weekend series against Sugar Land, Foscue had an .879 minor league OPS in 285 games prior to this season.
The biggest question is how the Rangers will use Foscue. While he has played some third base, he spent more time working on first base this spring. He could become the right-handed platoon partner to Jared Walsh at first, with Ezequiel Duran moving over to third. Duran could platoon with left-handed hitting Josh Smith at third base.
Scherzer gives idea on return
Rangers starter Max Scherzer threw a 55-pitch bullpen session Monday, his third since returning to the mound last week.
Scherzer said he threw his full array of pitches during the session and has four more sessions to go before he faces hitters. In effect, Scherzer said, he’s about a week or 10 days from starting his true ramp up to a season.
“I’m on a spring training schedule,” Scherzer said. “It’s like February 8 for me. It’s like a week before spring training. I still have to get to spring training before I can face hitters.”
Spring training is usually a six- to sevenweek period. Based on that schedule, Scherzer could be looking at a return to the rotation sometime around May 20-25. The Rangers have been so pleased with his progress they have held off transferring him from the 15-day IL to the 60day IL. If he goes on the 60, he would not be eligible before the Rangers’ May 28 game against Arizona.