The Rangers announced yesterday that left-hander Martin Perez was diagnosed with a partially-torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. According to Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News, Martin told Venezuelan publication Lavinotinto that he will join the long list of pitchers to have Tommy John surgery this year:
According to Marcus Grunfeld of the publication, Perez said he and his agent will decide on Friday when to have the surgery to repair a partially torn ligament.
Perez also had the option of trying to return after a rehabilitation period of 10 to 12 weeks.
“Having an operation is the most convenient thing,” Perez said, according to Lavinotinto.
Perez, who signed a four-year, $12.5 million extension over the winter, figures to be sidelined through the early part of the 2015 season. Matt Harrison has a displacement of a verterba in his back and is no sure thing to even pitch again, so the Rangers continue to face big challenges in their starting rotation. On the positive side of things, Nick Tepesch pitched well yesterday against the Astros and Derek Holland is getting closer to returning from knee surgery.
