Matt Harrison and Martin Perez Placed on Texas Rangers 15-Day Disabled List

May 8, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington (38) replaces starting pitcher Matt Harrison (54) during the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON, Tex. — The Texas Rangers are once again handed devastating news only this time it isn’t about just one player. LHP Martin Perez and LHP Matt Harrison have both been placed on the 15-day disabled list; however, it is more likely that both Texas Rangers starting pitchers will be out for much longer. This is the worst day in Texas Rangers news history that I can recall. The Rangers have been plagued by injuries since spring training and have used 38 players, including 21 pitchers, this season.

Texas Rangers LHP Martin Perez pitched two consecutive 3-hit complete game shutouts. Perez’s last start was on May 10 against the Boston Red Sox where he gave up 9 hits and allowed 6 runs in 3.2 innings pitched.

“I just felt it last night,” Perez said. “I just want to miss one start and get ready for the next one. It was a little inflammation. That’s why I was too tight. I’ll feel all right.”

Martin Perez complained about elbow soreness after the game and was scratched from his next start. He had an MRI on May 11 that showed some inflammation on his left elbow but Martin Perez felt as though he would be just fine before he needed to return.

Today it was announced that Martin Perez has a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.

According to TexasRangers General Manager Jon Daniels they are looking at every possible treatment for Perez. Since Martin Perez only suffers from a partial tear he has the option of trying to rehab the injury without undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing a mere 10-12 weeks as opposed to at least a year if undergoes surgery now. Although Perez may want to wait before undergoing surgery there is no guarantee that he wouldn’t need TJ surgery eventually and wind up missing more than the 2014 season. But for now, no decision has been made.

"I’ve talked to Martin’s agent, and we’re going to sit down and talk with him on Friday,” Daniels said. “We’re still going through it and doing our homework. No decision has been made yet.” (via T.R. Sullivan, TexasRangers.com)"

If you thought that there could not be any worse news, you might want to sit down for what I am about to tell you.

LHP Matt Harrison left Tuesday night’s game at Houston Astros with Texas Rangers’ head trainer Kevin Harmon after pitching 1.2 innings and giving up 4 hits and allowing 3 runs. It was very apparent that something wasn’t quite right with Harrison. During the broadcast Steve Busby and Tom Grieve relayed that Matt Harrison was just suffering from a stiff back.

The Texas Rangers sent Matt Harrison to Dallas to see Dr. Andrew Dossett. After being examined by Dr. Dossett on Wednesday the Rangers placed Harrison on the 15-day DL due to inflammation.

However, Matt Harrison isn’t suffering from just inflammation. He is in fact dealing with severe nerve irritation. On TexasRangers.com, T.R. Sullivan writes that Harrison has been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. This is, in my opinion one of the worst possible diagnoses Harrison could get.

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a bone (vertebra) in the spine slips out of the proper position onto the bone below it.

This condition of Harrison’s vertebra and not his disc means he will more than likely need to have a

spinal fusion surgery

to remedy the pain. Not only would this type of surgery put Matt Harrison out for the year it is more plausible that if he does undergo this type of surgery that it would end his career.

"The fact is there are not a lot of guys that have had that surgery and come back successfully,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “I feel for Matt and his family. It is a blow to the club, but he has worked extremely hard to come back. Although the odds aren’t great, we hope he’s the exception.” (via T.R. Sullivan, TexasRangers.com)"

Baseball karma, the baseball gods, the Curse of Nolan Ryan (yes, fans are saying this and there is even a hashtag on Twitter for it) or whatever else you want to call it have surely dealt the Texas Rangers two black eyes today. Today’s injuries news has felt like a personal loss. But it isn’t. I feel saddened for both Martin Perez and Matt Harrison along with their loved ones. Baseball IS emotional.

I certainly hope that Martin Perez doesn’t need to have TJ surgery like so many other young players this year, but I also hope that he chooses to do what is best for himself in long-run and not just a short-term fix.

My heart truly bleeds for Matt Harrison. I think we all know, judging my JD’s statement the Rangers know, that Harrison’s career as a major league pitcher is probably over. I hope that Matt Harrison proves us all wrong and comes back stronger, just like Colby Lewis has done.

As more information becomes available all of us at NolanWritin.com will pass the information along to you.