Rangers notes: Reliever Tolleson’s forearm issue has not subsided

Rangers right-hander Shawn Tolleson, one of three pitchers expected to have bullpen roles when the season begins April 6, had an MRI exam on his throwing arm Wednesday afternoon.

Tolleson has been slowed by right forearm tightness the past week. It wasn’t thought to be serious by the club but a lack of improvement signaled the call for the MRI. The results are expected Thursday afternoon.

Tolleson, Tanner Scheppers and Neftali Feliz were the only names penciled in for the bullpen when spring training began in February. Tolleson’s situation likely means he won’t be ready by Opening Day.

That opens up a spot for any number of pitchers, including young hurler Keone Kela and Roman Mendez.

“I think any time a pitcher expresses discomfort in his arm you have to have a level of concern and caution,” Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said. “I think we wanted to make sure that we’ve reviewed the nature of the issue to a complete extent.”

Rangers manager Jeff Banister said the club will take a conservative approach with Tolleson’s return.

“Not being able to find his way back to the mound obviously puts him in a challenging situation, no doubt,” he said.

Also, minor league outfielder Antoan Richardson will have surgery Friday in Dallas to repair a herniated disk in his lower back. Richardson will be out six to eight weeks.

The Rangers will eventually have to put him on the 60-day disabled list because he’s in major league camp.

Choo symptom free

Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is no longer dealing with a sore triceps in his throwing arm. He threw from 75 feet on Wednesday at about 60 to 70 percent, he said.

He’s scheduled to be the designated hitter in Thursday night’s game against the Rockies.

Briefly

▪ LHP Matt Harrison threw 20 pitches off a mound Wednesday.

▪ RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo (biceps tendinitis) played catch Wednesday.

▪ LHP Derek Holland is scheduled to pitch in a B game Thursday.

Grant program

Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation will once again partner in 2015 on a grant program designed to provide assistance to youth baseball and softball programs in the club’s five-state broadcasting region. It’s the fourth consecutive year for the project.

The foundation is accepting proposals for grants for nonprofit organizations that specifically support youth baseball or softball in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arkansas. For more information about the program visit texasrangers.com/grants.

This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 8:54 PM with the headline "Rangers notes: Reliever Tolleson’s forearm issue has not subsided."