ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rangers’ once-beleaguered pitching staff received more good news as Martin Perez breezed through his latest rehab assignment. The lefty’s return to the majors appears on track for after the All-Star break.
Perez worked a fast three innings on just 39 pitches for Double-A Frisco on Monday. The 24-year-old allowed one run on two hits and struck out four.
“All my pitches were good down in the zone and I just kept working,” he said. “That’s it. I don’t care about the result. I just want to feel good with my arm and my leg, and I think everything was good.”
Perez had found a spot in the rotation before undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. Monday was his first start since tweaking his left groin earlier in June.
“The problem I had with my leg is gone and I’m ready to go continue my rehab,” Perez said.
Perez said his next start would likely be four innings or 60 pitches, possible for Triple-A Round Rock. Though he wants to get back in the rotation, he realizes that the things are going well with the big club right now.
“I want to go slow,” Perez said. “I want to take my time and I think the guys are throwing really good up there. When they tell me I’m ready to pitch up there I want to do what I have to do to help the team. I feel good and everything’s good.”