Monday Newsletter time: Matt Bush is still with the Texas Rangers, and still a candidate for relief work
The right-hander isn't retiring, contrary to what some believed he might do after returning late last season.
At the end of last season, when the Texas Rangers brought Matt Bush off the 60-day injured list for the last week of the season, there was talk that the right-hander might not pitch in 2022.
Bush’s career was halted because of a drunk-driving incident in 2012 that landed him in prison for more than three years. He made his MLB debut in 2016, but has dealt with a series of injuries since.
The thought was that the 2022 elbow injury might be enough for him to say uncle.
That isn’t the case, and the Rangers expect Bush to be in spring training whenever the MLB lockout ends. He signed a two-year minor-league deal before last season.
Rangers manager Chris Woodward wanted Bush on the team last season because of the life experiences he could relay to younger players. Bush made the Opening Day roster and was one of the veterans at the back end until he had elbow soreness only a week into the season.
He turns 36 on Feb. 8. He still throws hard.
The issue, though, is the 40-man roster. Bush isn’t on it. The Rangers have one opening now and potentially two candidates (Jonathan Hernandez, Jose Leclerc) for the 60-day injured list. There isn’t much fat to be trimmed from the 40-man, though the Rangers could probably find a few spots.
Of course, those spots will first go to the MLB players the Rangers are expected to sign once the lockout ends.
Yet, the Rangers still need a veteran presence in the bullpen. It’s not a necessity, mind you, but having some experience down there never hurts.
Don’t be surprised if it’s Bush.
Injury recap
Nothing fills up a notebook during the regular season like a good rash of injuries. Reporters don’t want players to be injured, of course, but a nagging injury and indecision on whether to put a player on the IL can be news for three or four days.
Adrian Beltre was a master at it.
The injuries that happened at the end of last season will be an early topic at spring training. We likely would have received multiple updates on them during a normal offseason, but because of the lockout MLB teams aren’t permitted to speak about players or with them.
But the Rangers said in October that Hernandez and Leclerc will not be ready to go by Opening Day because of Tommy John surgery in March. They won’t be ready until May at the earliest, which might keep the Rangers from putting them on the 60-day IL.
Right-hander Kyle Cody underwent labral debridement surgery Sept. 30 and is on track to begin a throwing program in March. However, he isn’t expected to be available until the middle of the season.
Outfielder Eli White had surgery in September to fix his elbow. The procedure was like Tommy John surgery, except an internal brace was used to fix the ulnar collateral ligament rather than a ligament transplant. He was expected to be ready in March.
Corner infielder Sherten Apostel underwent knee surgery in September and was expected to be ready for the start of spring training. Left-hander John King had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome and is also expected to be ready when camp opens.
Hard-throwing rookie reliever Nick Snyder will be ready for spring training after getting shut down in September because of shoulder fatigue. He would have been ready toward the end of the season had the Rangers been playing for something.
ICYMI …
The heirs to the Wilson fortunate enjoyed a rare sports bye Saturday. Dad didn’t. Lots of copy has been cranked out here and is going to keep coming. Here’s the latest from the Newsletter in case you missed it.
The Sunday Read: Post-lockout to-do list.
Friday on the Farm: Candidates for their MLB debuts
T.R.’s Memoirs: The crazy spring of 1995
Doggy video!
A live look at the state of the newspaper industry. Enjoy. See you Tuesday.
