Why the Texas Rangers suspended pitcher Yohander Mendez for seeking medical advice
Texas Rangers left-hander Yohander Mendez has been suspended by the team for seeking unauthorized medical care.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels declined to offer much detail, but said it was a violation of his contract, which is standard in the league.
Players must ask permission before seeking alternative medical opinions and the doctor must be on a pre-approved list from the team and MLB.
Mendez will stay in Arizona during his suspension, Daniels said. He’s been limited by shoulder inflammation this spring. The injury is not related to the elbow injury Mendez dealt with in 2019.
Injury updates on Mathis, Chavez and Trevino
- Catcher Jeff Mathis pulled his left hamstring during an at-bat in Tuesday’s spring training game. He stayed in the game but had an MRI exam on Wednesday. The results are pending.
- Left-hander Jesse Chavez won’t be ready until late April, general manager Jon Daniels said. Chavez has been slowed this spring by the bone chip he had in his left elbow. “He didn’t have his normal buildup [this winter],” Daniels said. “We’re not going to rush it. He’ll take a couple of weeks to build up his strength. End of April would be a positive outcome for him to be back in games.”
- Catcher Jose Trevino will have a follow-up X-ray on his right index finger on Monday. Trevino suffered a fractured bone on a foul tip two weeks ago. The Rangers are hoping the scan reveals significant healing.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 4:31 PM.
Stefan Stevenson
Fort Worth Star-Telegram