Rangers approaching Jose Leclerc suffers from elbow pain that the righteous will miss ”extended time, ”According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link) and several reporters. Leclerc had already left the Rangers’ Spring Training camp and went to Texas for further investigation. In more unfortunate news about injuries, Southpaws Joely Rodriguez and Brett Martin will also start the season on the list of the injured, although their absence will not last that long.
With Jonathan Hernandez Due to a UCL sprain, Leclerc’s injury is another long-term hit for the Texas bullpen. Every mention of an elbow problem naturally raises concerns about Tommy John surgeries, which would keep 27-year-old Leclerc out of action until the middle of the 2022 season.
This is the second significant injury in so many years for Leclerc, who suffered only two games last season due to a tear in his right muscle. His return to action was marked by a late arrival in camp due to visa problems, and then Leclerc did not have his normal speed over 3 2/3 Cactus League outings, which may not have been unexpected given his arm strength rebuilt.
Despite everything, Leclerc was the tentative favorite to tackle the season as the Texas approached. He was first promoted to the job in 2018, during a season in which Leclerc scored a 1.56 ERA / 2.60 SIERA and a whopping 38.1K% (eighth highest of any pitcher in baseball with at least 50 IP) over 57 2 / 3 had. frames from the Rangers’ bullpen. His actions took a step back in 2019, in part due to an increase in walking and a large decrease in happiness ball (a .306 BABIP in 2019, as opposed to a .211 BABIP in 2018), but should have noted that most of Leclerc’s struggle that year was limited to the month of April.
Prior to that 2019 season, Leclerc signed a contract extension that paid him a guaranteed amount of $ 14.75 million until 2022, with the Rangers buying club options for his services for 2023 ($ 6 million, $ 750,000) and 2024 ($ 6.25 million, $ 500). K buyout). While not a huge financial investment, this expansion would eventually look like a bust for Texas if the worst were to happen and Leclerc did require a TJ operation.
Rodriguez (sprained ankle) and Martin (back) have yet to strike during the spring boom, but both left-handers could eventually spend a relatively short time at the IL, perhaps even just a minimal absence of ten days. Their returns will be greatly welcomed by a Rangers bullpen who is now suddenly thin on the arms. It remains to be seen who will be the first choice to save with both Leclerc and Hernandez, and the role could fall on minor league signings Ian Kennedy or Matt Bush.