Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yohander Mendez will miss the first half of the season because of an elbow injury, team officials announced Monday.
The left-hander will not need Tommy John surgery.
The 24-year-old left his spring training start Sunday in the third inning after losing velocity and feeling tightness in his pitching elbow. An MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain of the ulnar collateral ligament.
The plan is to give him six weeks of rest, followed by about another six weeks of a throwing program.
Mendez pitched in eight games (five starts) for the Rangers last season, producing a 2-2 record and a 5.53 ERA in 27 2/3 innings. He has appeared in parts of the past three seasons for Texas, going 2-3 with a 6.28 ERA in 17 games (five starts).
Mendez figured to be a depth option for the 2019 rotation.