Rangers LHP Mendez has elbow sprain, likely out till June

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Texas Rangers‘ fear that pitcher Yohander Mendez would miss the entire 2019 season was allayed on Monday when an MRI revealed the 24-year-old had a Grade 1 sprain of the left ulnar collateral ligament.

“It’s really good news. I think we dodged a bullet,” assistant general manager Shiraz Rehman said. “There’s some inflammation and some fluid in there, but no surgery at all. At his point, six weeks of no throw, and then we’ll build him back up.”

That timetable calls for an April 29 return to throwing, beginning on flat ground from a close distance. By the time Mendez is ready to pitch in a game, it is likely to be another six weeks, probably in mid-June.

“Think of him as a second-half pitcher for us at this point, because we want to be conservative with it,” Rehman said.

Mendez left Sunday’s Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks after striking out the first batter he faced in the third inning.

The Rangers have three projected starters, Shelby Miller, Drew Smyly and Edinson Volquez, returning from Tommy John surgery, so Mendez was expected to provide depth in the early part of the season. While that is no longer the case, he could play a role if needs arise in the second half.

“With the depth that guy provides us, it’s huge,” manager Chris Woodward said. “He had a really good spring training. He was really committed to how he was throwing his pitches, where he was throwing, so not to not have to lose him for an entire year is really big for us.”

The Venezuelan native and former prime prospect started four games for the Rangers last September, going 2-2 with a 5.53 ERA in eight games, five of them starts.

Mendez has pitched for Texas in parts of the last three seasons.

NOTES: OF Joey Gallo, who has hit a combined 81 home runs the past two seasons, is progressing from a groin strain sustained last Thursday. Rehman said Gallo was riding a stationary bike on Monday and would probably appear in a game at the end of the week. Regarding Gallo and 1B Ronald Guzman, who is hampered by left knee soreness, Rehman said, “pretty good so far, improved, increased activity on both of their fronts.” Guzman could appear in a game on Wednesday.