Texas Rangers left-hander Martin Perez, who showed promise during his first full major league season two years ago, will make his first big-league start in 14 months Friday after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
He will be activated from the disabled list Friday to face the Houston Astros in the first game of the second half of the season, multiple media outlets reported Monday.
Perez went 10-6 with a 3.62 ERA in 20 starts for the Rangers in 2013 as a 22-year-old. After that season, the Rangers rewarded him with a four-year, $12.5 million extension with three club options.
He made eight starts in 2014 until elbow problems sidelined him. He made his last major league start May 10, 2014, when he gave up nine hits and six runs in 3 2/3 innings, dropping his record to 4-3 and raising his ERA to 4.38. He had Tommy John surgery later that month.
This year, he made six minor league rehab starts at Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, going a combined 0-1 with a 4.56 ERA.
In his most recent rehab start Sunday, he allowed 12 hits and five earned runs in six innings while pitching for Round Rock.
Perez had a minor problem with a groin injury during the recovery process, but he has had no problems with his elbow.