Texas Rangers Starter Jon Gray Thought Arm Was Broken
The Texas Rangers starting rotation caught a “huge break” after Jon Gray was injured and forced to leave Saturday’s 8-2 loss to the Houston Astros.
Gray took a 109.3-mph line drive off his right forearm in the third inning. The right-hander was cruising at the time, having allowed just one baserunner in the first two innings before Yainer Diaz striped one back Gray’s way.
In considerable pain, Gray threw down his glove and tried to compose himself before manager Bruce Bochy, pitching coach Mike Maddux and trainer Matt Lucero made it to the mound.
Gray threw a few warmup pitches before it was decided to end his night. Bochy said after the game that X-rays were negative and Gray shouldn’t miss a start.
“I think we got a huge break,” Bochy said, according to MLB.com. “I don’t like to use that word, but the ball was hit 109 miles an hour and he took it flush. I was nervous, to be honest. I was surprised that he threw two or three pitches after. He said he didn't really feel any pain, but there's some numbness. It was too risky, and he had [to] come out.”
Gray feared the worst, too.
“I thought my arm was broken,” he said, according to MLB.com. “Because it sounded so bad and I didn’t really see the ball much, it sounded like it was all bone. I just kind of just expected it to be broken, but it didn't turn out to be that bad, so I’m lucky.”
So are the Rangers, who would be left scrambling if Gray had to miss any significant time. Two pitchers who were expected provide depth to the rotation – Jake Odorizzi and Glenn Otto – are on the injured list.
The Rangers (8-6) concluded their three-game Silver Boot Series on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball with Andrew Heaney (1-1) making his first start since setting a franchise record for consecutive strikeouts. The Astros (7-8) counter with Framber Valdez (1-1) in the rubber match. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m.
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