Colby Lewis to miss two months with lat strain

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis has been diagnosed with a lat strain, according to the Rangers, which will prevent him from throwing for the next four weeks.  He is expected to be out for two months.

This is a pretty significant blow to the Rangers' rotation, coming on top of the news today that Derek Holland was placed on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, and with Yu Darvish and A.J. Griffin already on the d.l. (although Griffin is expected to be activated on Saturday).

The Rangers are planning on having Nick Martinez start on Friday against Boston, but with Cole Hamels and Martin Perez the only other healthy members of the rotation, the Rangers are going to have to do something about a fifth starter.  Cesar Ramos, who has filled in as a spot starter, would be an option, as would Kyle Lohse, who is currently toiling at AAA Round Rock.  Part of this decision likely depends on how quickly the team expects Darvish will return...he's throwing again, and if the team feels like he can return before the All Star Break, then they may opt to go with Ramos or Chi Chi Gonzalez, rather than purchasing the contract of Lohse.  If Darvish isn't going to be back that soon, however, or if Holland is going to be out beyond the Break, then the Rangers may feel that Lohse is a necessity.

This news is ...disappointing, to say the least.  Colby is Colbyashi, the guy who has come back from seemingly everything, and is, by all accounts, one of the most respected figures in the clubhouse.  Losing him sucks from an on-the-field angle, but he's also one of the people that you really enjoy rooting for and love to see out there, so its an emotional gut punch at a high level as well.