Elbow ligaments are not indestructible, which the Texas Rangers have known for years and years. They haven’t needed the many unpleasant and unwelcome reminders they have received the past few seasons.
This year alone, three noteworthy pitchers in the minor leagues have been lost to torn ulnar collateral ligaments and the resulting Tommy John surgery.
The recovery time is typically 14 months.
So, the two of note in 2017 are pitching in games again and at some point in 2019 will be candidates for the Rangers’ rotation. One is right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez, the former first-round pick who has too much MLB service time to be considered a prospect.