HOUSTON – And now the pitching depth will be tested.
In the same week the Rangers lost shortstop Corey Seager to a strained hamstring, they also suffered what appeared to be the first significant injury to their rebuilt starting rotation. Right-hander Jon Gray left his start of an eventual 8-2 loss at Houston in the third inning after being hit in the right elbow by a 109.3-mph liner off the bat of Astros catcher Yainer Diaz.
Gray, who had three stints on the IL last year due to various issues, had just taken the mound after the Rangers scored twice in the top of the inning. Diaz lined the first pitch, a 94.7-mph fastball, right back up the middle. Before Gray could react, the ball caught him on or just below the elbow.
The team announced that Gray left with a right forearm bruise and will continue to be monitored.
He threw his glove to the ground and tried to walk it off. Athletic trainers and staff joined him on the mound, and he attempted to throw a couple of warm-up pitches. Then after gripping athletic trainer Matt Lucero’s hand to test his arm strength, he walked off the field, shaking his head and with a large red welt already swelling on the elbow area.
He was replaced on the mound by left-hander Cole Ragans. Either Ragans or Dane Dunning, who has made 50 starts over the last two seasons, would replace Gray in the rotation if he ends up on the IL. Dunning has not allowed a run in 11 innings so far this season.
It would also force the Rangers to find another long relief option. Taylor Hearn, who was optioned to the minors on Thursday, is a multi-inning option and could be recalled if another player ends up on the IL.
Seager, the club’s $325 million shortstop, suffered a strained hamstring on Tuesday and is expected to be out at least a month. The Rangers are currently also without catcher/DH Mitch Garver, who is dealing with a mild left knee sprain.
