Jung no longer requires the use of a sling to stabilize his surgically repaired left shoulder, independent baseball journalist Jeff Wilson reports.

EDGE Analysis

Now four weeks removed from arthroscopic surgery, Jung has taken the first notable step forward in his recovery by ditching the sling. Though Jung is seemingly progressing well at this early stage of his rehab program, the Rangers are still preparing for him to be sidelined for 6-to-8 months. That timeline means that Jung likely isn't on track to make his MLB debut this season, unless the Rangers find themselves in playoff contention in September and are looking to add an impact bat to the active roster.

Jung is expected to be sidelined for 6-to-8 months after he underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair a torn left labrum, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jung was shut down last week after suffering the injury while lifting weights, but a decision on whether he would require surgery wasn't immediately made. Now that Jung has opted for the procedure, he's expected to be sidelined until September at the earliest, effectively closing the door on the top prospect's chances of making his MLB debut this season. Even once he completes his rehab program, Jung will be limited to designated hitter duties rather than playing at third base. Jung's injury at least tentatively clears the way for Isaiah Kiner-Falefa to open the season in an everyday role for Texas at the hot corner.

Jung experienced left shoulder discomfort while lifting weights last week and has been shut down with a labral strain, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jung is considered one of the more interesting prospects set to debut this season, as he hit .326/.398/.592 across the two highest levels of the minors in 2021 and has a clear path to the third base job in Texas. He's unfortunately now suffered a preseason injury two years in a row, as a stress fracture in his left foot last March pushed his season debut back to mid-June. Exactly how much time this particular injury will wind up costing him won't become clear until a follow-up visit next week and will depend in part on whether or not the season is delayed, but it may mean that Isiah Kiner-Falefa ends up remaining the starter at the hot corner for longer than previously expected.

Jung is not expected to make his major-league debut this season, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers' top prospect has held his own since being promoted to Triple-A Round Rock last month, slashing .246/.348/.509 with three homers, six doubles and six RBI across 66 plate appearances. He's on track to be an important piece for the big club early on in 2022, but he won't be promoted this season unless Texas suffers several injuries to its infield in the coming weeks.

Jung was promoted to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Jung's season didn't start until mid-June after he suffered a stress fracture in his foot back in March, but he's done everything he can to make up for lost time. In 43 games for Double-A Frisco, he's homered 10 times while hitting .308/.366/.544. It's possible he could already handle himself at the major-league level, but the rebuilding Rangers have little incentive to call him up before the end of the year. Whether or not he's in the mix for an Opening Day call-up next season may depend as much on whether the service-time rules are tweaked during the upcoming labor negotiations as on his performance down the stretch for Round Rock.

Jung (COVID-19 protocols) was in uniform for Double-A Frisco in Wednesday's 8-0 win over Arkansas but didn't play, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Jung has been out of action since Aug. 7, his presence in the dugout Wednesday suggests he's cleared all COVID-19 protocols and will merely need to regain conditioning before rejoining the lineup. Jung, who is hitting .307 with 10 home runs in 42 games for Frisco this season, should be ready to play by the end of the week.

Jung didn't travel with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday due to COVID-19 testing and contact tracing protocols, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jung has been performing well at Double-A Frisco this year, as he's slashed .307/.366/.548 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI, 25 runs and two stolen bases across 42 games. While the 23-year-old will spend some time away from the club, the length of his absence depends on whether he tests positive for COVID-19.

Jung has a five-game hit and RBI streak going at Double-A Frisco, a span in which he's gone 9-for-20 (.450) with two homers, two doubles, seven RBI and a 2:2 BB:K.

EDGE Analysis

This hot stretch has lifted his season OPS back over the .900 mark to .906. A foot injury caused Jung to miss the beginning of the minor-league season, but he's pushed past that setback in impressive fashion. His power output looks great, his strikeout rate is trim, and he generally looks ready to move on up in the organization. Look for the Rangers to give him some exposure to Triple-A next month ahead of a probable September call-up. It's about time for fantasy managers to make sure they know that Jung is pronounced like "Young."

Jung (foot) made his season debut for Double-A Frisco on Tuesday and went 1-for-4 against Corpus Christi.

EDGE Analysis

Jung served as the designated hitter for the Rough Riders and slotted in at third in the order. The activity marked the first time he's played in a regular-season game since the end of 2019. A top prospect within the organization, Jung had his 2021 season put on hold first by a delay in the minor-league season, then by a stress fracture in his right foot that required a screw to be inserted. Jung seemingly has a clear path to third base for the Rangers, but it's uncertain how last year's pandemic-impacted season and this year's injury delays that timeline.

Jung (foot) has been running the bases and is about 10-14 days from joining an affiliate, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear if Jung will join Triple-A Round Rock, where he was expected to start 2021 before suffering the stress fracture in March, or a lower-level affiliate. It is safe to assume, however, that the Rangers will exercise caution in timing the return of one of their top prospects.