Texas Rangers: Chi Chi Gonzalez Out At Least Six Weeks

Bad news from Rangers camp as starter Chi Chi Gonzalez is out for at least six weeks. He was battling for a role in the Texas rotation, but could now by shut down for possibly the next three months.

According to T.R. Sullivan, the Texas Rangers will be without starter Chi Chi Gonzalez after he suffered a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow. This injury could sideline Gonzalez up to three months, but the team will shut him down for the next six weeks.

The plan right now is no Tommy John for Gonzalez, but that could still be an option although the team will probably wait a few weeks before making that call. The 25-year-old will start the season on the disabled list, but at least he’s not lost for the entire season.

This spring Gonzalez started off strong, but finished with a 9.39 ERA in 7.2 innings, and allowed eight earned runs. The stats look bad, but Spring Training has a habit of blowing up a pitcher’s ERA due to the low amount of innings pitched.

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Over the last two seasons Gonzalez has put together two stints with the Rangers. He pitched well in 2015, going 4-6 3.90 ERA in 14 games (10 starts), but the lack of command hurt him. Gonzalez walked 32 batters in just 67 innings pitched.

He pitched in just three games with the Rangers last season. Gonzalez posted a 8.71 ERA, and continued to struggle to find the strike zone. He walked nine batters in 10.1 innings of work. He has the potential to be a consistent starter, but his command continues to fail him.

Next: Gallo Has Big News for Rangers Fans

The Rangers are now in search of a fifth starter with Gonzalez going down for the next few weeks. The last couple weeks of Spring Training should be interesting in Rangers camp.