Rangers place Jakob Junis on IL with left adductor strain, recall Winston Santos

The Texas Rangers made a pitching move on Thursday, placing reliever Jakob Junis back on the injured list with a left adductor strain, the team announced. The transaction shifts bullpen usage in the short term and reflects how quickly midseason health issues can ripple through a playoff-contending roster.

Junis’ return to the IL means the Rangers will again manage his availability through a recovery window tied to the left adductor. Adductor strains can affect a pitcher’s ability to generate power and command because the muscle is involved in the lower-body load and the rotation mechanics that carry fastballs and breaking pitches.

To fill the active roster spot, Texas recalled right-handed pitcher Winston Santos from Triple-A Round Rock. The move gives the Rangers another arm with recent organizational innings, and it also suggests the team expects to keep its relief workload steady while Junis is sidelined.

The recall underscores how Triple-A depth is used in the final stretch of the season. When a late-inning role becomes unavailable, managers often turn to the nearest ready option rather than reshaping roles too drastically, especially in a bullpen where sequencing and matchups can matter from day to day.

For Santos, the promotion is a direct path back to the major leagues. While the specifics of his recent Triple-A workload were not included in the reporting, recalls from Round Rock typically report that the organization believes the pitcher can contribute in relief quickly rather than requiring an extended adjustment period.

As the IL stint continues, the Rangers will monitor whether Junis can return without lingering restrictions. In practical terms, Texas will also need to watch bullpen balance, since replacing one reliever can lead to heavier usage for nearby high-leverage arms until the injured player is cleared.