Edinson Volquez to the injured list, Kyle Bird recalled

Texas Rangers transactions: Edinson Volquez has been placed on the 10 day injured list with a sprained elbow, the team announced this evening. Taking Volquez’s place on the active roster is left handed pitcher Kyle Bird, who has been recalled from AAA Nashville.

This is ominous news for Volquez and the Rangers. Volquez missed much of 2017 and all of 2018 with his second Tommy John surgery, and generally speaking an “elbow sprain” means UCL damage, At the age of 35, if Volquez tore his UCL again, one would have to think his career is likely over. In a best case scenario, Volquez still would seem likely to miss a couple of months.

In the short term, off days on Monday and Thursday of next week mean that the Rangers could conceivably avoid using a fifth starter until April 16. While the rotation might be juggled, the most likely scenario would seem to be Adrian Sampson moving into the rotation to take Volquez’s place.

As has been discussed, while the Rangers have several exciting starting pitching prospects in AA and AAA, they are generally seen as being a half-season away, Behind Sampson, the immediately ready rotation depth for Texas is Ariel Jurado, Ronald Herrera, and...well, whoever might be on the waiver wire.

UPDATE — Per the beat guys, Volquez says he will retire if his UCL is torn, rather than do a third TJS.