EDITOR’S NOTE: Saturday night’s game between the Tigers and Rangers was incomplete at press time for this edition. Go to TheOaklandPress.com for the full game story.

DETROIT >> Josh Jung was asked before the game Friday in what ways he and his brother were similar and dissimilar and he took a few seconds to think about it.

“We’re pretty similar in a lot of ways,” he said. “I think our personalities is where we differ. I don’t know. Like, I’m in it. I know him and he knows me. We know how to get under each other’s skin — but I can’t share that info.”

Josh Jung is the Texas Rangers’ third baseman. His younger brother Jace Jung is a third baseman for the Tigers.

There will likely be a point in this three-game weekend series where the brothers will be on the same big-league field for the first time.

Though it was not Friday, because Jace wasn’t in the starting lineup against lefty Patrick Corbin.

“We played like an intersquad against each other one time,” Josh said. “I’d just got drafted and he was still at Texas Tech and we had a fall scrimmage against each other. That doesn’t really count.”

Josh is 27, three years older than Jace, and he was drafted in the first round (eighth overall) out of Texas Tech by the Rangers in 2019. Jace, 24, followed his big brother to Texas Tech and was drafted in the first round (12th overall) by the Tigers in 2022.

Josh debuted with the Rangers in 2022, Jace last season.

“The last time my brother and I were on the same field, we were playing together and my dad was actually one of the coaches,” Josh said. “That was my senior year in high school (MacArthur High in San Antonio). Jace was a freshman.

“Here we are, eight years later and we’re on a big-league field together. That’s pretty special.”

The two brothers had a quiet moment to themselves on the field before the game.

“It’s super cool for us and super cool for the family,” Josh said. “Especially with it falling on Mother’s Day. It’s truly remarkable. We’ve been looking forward to it. We haven’t seen each other since February so it was nice to go out early and actually see each other — not on FaceTime or Fortnite.”

Jace, who was at the field early Friday despite the Tigers’ plane from Denver not arriving until 2 a.m., did not make himself available to the media before the game.

So it was up to his big brother to answer all the family questions. Like, was Jace as competitive when he was younger as he is now?

“When we’d play video games or whatever, we were both so competitive,” Josh said. “If the other was losing, they’d rage-quit sometimes, turn the Xbox off or go running inside complaining to mom the other was cheating.

“That’s truly how our relationship was growing up. Looking back, it’s super funny. But in the moment, it was pretty intense.”

But, then as now, they have each other’s back completely. When Jace was scuffling last year and even earlier this year, Josh’s was the first ear he bent, the first shoulder he leaned on.

“He’s got a lot of ability,” Josh said. “Everyone finds their way at some point in the big leagues. You just have to go through it. There’s not really a ton of advice you can give him except keep going, keep grinding.

“Defensively, he’s playing a lot better and that’s awesome to see. The offense will come. Just have to keep going.”

Asked again about the ways in which Jace and him differ, Josh said, “I can’t give away all of his secrets.”

But then he perfectly described the Jace Jung that we’ve gotten to see and know around here.

“The dude that I love, he’s passionate,” Josh said. “He’s going to go out there and give you everything he’s got no matter what. He’s just fun to be around.”

Side note: The eye black is a brotherly trademark. Both Jace and Josh will be painted.

“He’s the one who did it first,” Josh said. “I started wearing it again a couple of weeks ago. We both say it feels like it gives us that little edge when we step on the field.”

Cobb throws live

Right-hander Alex Cobb, who is working his way back from a right hip injury, threw live to Matt Vierling and Jung before the game Friday. He threw two simulated innings, roughly 30 pitches total.

“It was a step forward,” manager AJ Hinch said. “His stuff was really good and trending up. When you get to face Vierling and Jace, the uptick on the stuff was real. He’s still working through his recovery to get back.”

It was clear he still wasn’t moving well. He wasn’t moving fluidly after bunts or while covering first base.

“We just need him to take small steps forward so we can make an assessment on what’s next for him,” Hinch said.

The next progression forward would be to start a rehab assignment. But that doesn’t seem imminent.

Vierling (shoulder), who is currently on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo, hit the ball hard a couple of times. He also increased the intensity of his throwing from the outfield.

Additionally, Jake Rogers (oblique) caught both of Cobb’s innings. There is no timetable yet for his rehab assignment.

Congrats, condolences

For Hinch, the Pirates naming former Tiger Don Kelly their manager was a double-edged sword.

He was thrilled for Kelly, who was on his coaching staff in Houston, and hurting for Derek Shelton, whom the Pirates fired.

“I’m very close to both of them,” Hinch said. “And I’ve been in both those shoes, when it comes to being the guy let go and the guy coming in midseason.”

He reached out to Kelly immediately when the news broke.

“With Donny, I just want to encourage him and wish him well as he gets underway,” Hinch said. “As much as he was one step away from that job (as bench coach), when you actually go sit in that chair, it’s a whirlwind in that first 24 hours when you named one of just 30 managers.

“I’m sure he was excited. But also there’s a part of him that’s disappointed that a close friend and mentor was let go.”

Around the horn

There was new news on center fielder Parker Meadows (nerve issue in his right arm). He’s not eligible to come off the 60-day IL until May 23 and he’s continuing to work his way gradually toward a rehab stint.

He’s still playing catch, conditioning, doing defensive drills and working through his daily hitting progression.