ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -Former All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock had surgery Friday on his right wrist and will be sidelined for at least another month.
Blalock has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 29 due to a torn hamstring. He recovered from that injury, then experienced wrist soreness due to carpal tunnel syndrome.
A cortisone injection earlier in the week failed to reduce swelling in the wrist. Hand specialist Dr. Tom Diliberti then operated.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Blalock will need about 10 days for the incision to heal, then can start baseball activities.
Texas also optioned left-hander Kason Gabbard to Triple-A Oklahoma prior to Friday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics. The 26-year-old was 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA in his first six outings but is 1-2 with a 4.75 ERA in nine starts overall. He was on the disabled list from April 24-May 8 with back stiffness.
Gabbard was involved in a bench-clearing brawl at Seattle on May 8 and bruised both knees. He struggled with his control during his past two starts, walking 12 walks in his last seven innings.
“He’s a better pitcher than he’s shown the last couple weeks,” Daniels said. “Unfortunately he had the incident in Seattle. Whether it’s had some effect, it’s hard to say. We want to give him a chance to work through it.”
Rookie Doug Mathis will take Gabbard’s rotation turn Tuesday against Cleveland. Mathis is 1-1 in five games – including two starts – with a 5.56 ERA.
Texas also purchased the contract of right-hander Robinson Tejeda from Oklahoma, and announced right-hander Franklyn German refused an outright assignment and became a free agent. Right-handed pitcher Dustin Nippert cleared waivers and was sent outright to Oklahoma.
Tejeda had made four straight starts for Oklahoma, but he will pitch in relief for Texas. He is 1-1 with a 2.18 ERA in 10 games for Oklahoma this season.
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