Chi Chi Gonzalez to have Tommy John surgery after setback

Rangers right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez will need Tommy John surgery after a setback during his throwing program recently in Arizona.

An MRI showed a partial ligament tear during spring training and Gonzalez chose to go the non-surgical route, which required six to eight weeks of not throwing. A recent MRI showed the ligament was failing, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. Gonzalez was shut down 10 days ago after the scan confirmed the diagnosis.

Team physician Dr. Keith Meister will perform the surgery next week, Daniels said. The procedure typically requires pitchers to miss 14 months, which means Gonzalez wouldn’t return to action until September 2018.

This story was originally published July 22, 2017 at 5:08 PM with the headline "Chi Chi Gonzalez to have Tommy John surgery after setback."