Jung headlines Rangers' list of 21 non-roster invitees

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- As Rangers big leaguers arrived for the start of camp on Sunday, the club announced its 21 non-roster invitees to big league camp.

All of the non-roster invitees have been participating in Minor League camp since late February. Third baseman Josh Jung, the club’s top-ranked hitting prospect per MLB Pipeline, highlights the list, but he will be sidelined as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Here’s the full list of the Rangers' non-roster invitees:

Pitchers (8): Justin Anderson, Kohei Arihara, Matt Bush, Jake Latz, Chase Lee, Daniel Robert, Jesus Tinoco, Nick Tropeano

Catchers (4): David Garcia, Yohel Pozo, Meibrys Viloria, Matt Whatley

Infielders (7): Blaine Crim, Justin Foscue, Dustin Harris, Jung, Joe McCarthy, Josh Smith, Davis Wendzel

Outfielders (2): Bubba Thompson, Steele Walker

Additional prospects Ricky Vanasco (No. 12) and Ezequiel Duran (No. 7) will also be in camp, but they were added to the 40-man roster for protection from the Rule 5 Draft, which was canceled due to the lockout.

Bush and Arihara both started last season on the Rangers’ Opening Day roster, and are both expected to return to compete for spots in the bullpen again this spring. Bush pitched just four innings last season, allowing four hits and three runs, but a right flexor tendon issue sidelined him for most of the 2021 season.

The Rangers signed Arihara out of Japan last offseason, but he had a rocky MLB debut season. In 10 starts, he posted a 6.64 ERA, but a stint on the 60-day injured list (right middle finger contusion) kept him from consistently facing big league hitters. He was designated for assignment in September, but he cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock.

None of the infield prospects are expected to make the Opening Day roster out of camp, but Smith and Wendzel could possibly make their MLB debuts sometime this season to man third base with Jung recovering from shoulder surgery.

Notably missing from the list of non-roster invitees are top pitching prospects Jack Leiter (No. 1) and Cole Winn (No. 3) President of baseball operations Jon Daniels said they will still have the opportunity to pitch in live games, but the staff didn’t want to interrupt their throwing programs by shifting them to big league camp after weeks of working with the Minor League staff.