Texas Rangers pitcher Ricky Vanasco will be having Tommy John surgery, it was announced today. Surgery would sideline Vanasco for the entirety of 2021.
Vanasco, a 21 year old righthander, had a breakout 2019 season. Starting the year in Spokane, Vanasco put up a 1.85 ERA in 39 innings over 9 starts before being promoted to low-A Hickory, where he allowed 2 earned runs in 10.2 IP over 2 starts. In 49.2 IP, he struck out 75 batters against 25 walks, giving up just 2 home runs.
This is a disappointing blow for Vanasco, who had been working at the Alternate Training Site and seemed to be well positioned to potentially be in Down East or Frisco in 2021.