Rangers’ Martin Perez to start second-half opener Friday in Houston

Left-hander Martin Perez will make his first start in more than a year on Friday when the Texas Rangers open the second half at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

The Rangers announced their rotation for the three-game series against the Astros, which includes Colby Lewis (8-3, 4.77 ERA) on Saturday and Yovani Gallardo (7-8, 2.62) on Sunday. Perez will face right-hander Collin McHugh (9-5, 4.50). The Astros are expected to start right-hander Scott Feldman (4-4, 4.80) on Saturday and All-Star left-hander Dallas Keuchel (11-4, 2.23) on Sunday.

The Rangers open the second half six games behind the first-place Angels in the American League West and 5 1/2 games behind the Astros. Texas is 4-2 against Houston so far, including a three-game sweep in the last meeting at Minute Maid Park in early May.

Perez last pitched May 10, 2014 before having Tommy John surgery to repair a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow nine days later.

Perez has a career record of 15-13 with a 4.13 ERA in 40 games (34 starts).

Right-handed reliever Roman Mendez will be optioned to Triple A Round Rock to make room when Perez is activated off the disabled list on Friday. Mendez did not pitch for the Rangers since be called up on July 11. He was on the 25-man roster out of spring training before being sent down.

Perez had a 4.56 ERA in six rehab starts between Double A Frisco and Round Rock. He allowed five runs on 12 hits in six innings in his last rehab start Sunday for Round Rock. He struck out four and walked none.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Rangers’ Martin Perez to start second-half opener Friday in Houston."