Another Rangers pitching prospect to have Tommy John surgery; Minor trade completed
The Texas Rangers have lost one of their top pitching prospects for the 2021 season.
Right-hander Ricky Vanasco is scheduled to undergo Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery on Monday and is expected to miss next season. Recovery from Tommy John surgery typically takes 12 to 15 months. The surgery will be done by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington.
Even though the minor league season has been canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, Vanasco was part of the Alternate Site camp. The Rangers drafted Vanasco in the 15th round out of Williston (Florida) High School in the 2017 MLB Draft.
Vanasco pitched at Class A Spokane and Low A Hickory last season, combining to go 3-1 with a 1.81 ERA in 49 2/3 innings over 11 starts. He had 75 strikeouts to 25 walks.
Vanasco pitched in the Arizona Rookie League in 2017 and 2018.
The Rangers have had a number of players undergo Tommy John surgery in recent years, including 2016 first-round pick Cole Ragans (twice), 2019 draft picks Owen White and Mason Englert, reliever Alex Speas and starter Joe Palumbo.
Minor trade completed
The Rangers announced the completion of the Mike Minor trade on Friday, acquiring outfielder Marcus Smith and infielder Dustin Harris from the Oakland A’s as the two players to be named later.
Smith, 20, was a third-round pick in the 2019 draft. Harris, 21, was an 11th-round pick in 2019.
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 2:29 PM.
