SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) – The Texas Rangers won’t have one of their best relievers at the start of the season after Jonathan Hernandez was ruled out to pitch for at least four weeks due to a sprained ligament. of the right elbow.
Rangers general manager Chris Young reported Tuesday that an MRI revealed Hernandez sprained his ulnar collateral ligament after the Dominican right-hander felt something while pitching in his last practice session.
Hernandez stood out last season, going 5-1 with a 2.90 ERA in 27 appearances in a shortened 60-game season due to the pandemic. He had 31 strikeouts and eight walks in 31 innings, relying heavily on a fastball that averaged 98 miles per hour.
“The good news with him is that he is (an injury) that he usually recovers and responds well with rest,” Young acknowledged from spring camp in Surprise, Arizona.
Young also indicated that outfielder Willie Calhoun is dealing with mild groin discomfort after Monday’s exhibition game. The team will be wary of Calhoun in the next few days, but they have no plans for him to undergo an MRI.
The duel occurred exactly one year after Calhoun was hit in the face with a fastball and fractured his jaw.
Young said the Rangers will re-examine Hernandez in four weeks and determine if the 24-year-old’s ligament healed enough to begin a pitching program.
