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Farrell, Mendez rehabbing at AA, Volquez at AZL, and more

The Rangers have some updates on some of their rehabbing pitchers today

By Adam J. Morris
Texas Rangers v Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

The Texas Rangers have announced that rehabbing pitchers Lucas Farrell and Yohander Mendez are moving from the AZL Rangers to AA Frisco, where they will continue their rehab assignments. In addition, Edinson Volquez is starting a rehab assignment with the AZL Rangers.

All three of these guys are on the 60 day injured list, so if and when they are activated, they will need to be added to the 40 man roster. Farrell, 28, was claimed on waivers from the Angels in January, and was expected to be potential pitching depth until he suffered a broken jaw in spring training on a line drive up the middle. He will not be arbitration eligible after the season, so Texas could hang onto him if they like what they see from him going forward.

Mendez, 24, is a lefthander who was part of the big 2011 J-2 signing class that included Ronald Guzman and Nomar Mazara. He had a fourth option this season, but as he was diagnosed with a UCL injury in spring training, he has been on the injured list all year and the option hasn’t been used. I’m unclear if the 4th option carries over to next year.

Volquez, of course, was signed to a minor league contract for the 2018 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, with an eye towards returning in 2019. He was in the Rangers’ Opening Day rotation, but suffered a UCL injury in his first start. The hope is that he can pitch out of the bullpen in September. He has announced he is retiring at season’s end.

In the bad news category, Taylor Hearn is shut down from throwing again due to “left elbow irritation,” though the beats say its not though to be UCL-related. Regardless, it appears he won’t be back before the regular season is over.

In the good news category, Shawn Kelley threw a live bullpen today, according to the beats, and will be re-evaluated tomorrow. So he could be close to returning.

Finally, Asdrubal Cabrera has cleared release waivers and is a free agent. Gleyber Torres was apparently diagnosed with a sports hernia, and the Yankees are banged up on the infield, so maybe the Yankees will take a look at him.