MRI shows no significant damage to Rangers’ Griffin
A.J. Griffin and the Texas Rangers received good news Wednesday morning after his MRI exam, and the right-hander could be ready to pitch again by the end of the month.
The MRI showed no structural damage in his shoulder, and Griffin can resume throwing as soon as he is free of symptoms. He said that he has something similar in 2012 and missed 26 days.
He was injured Saturday in third inning at Detroit as his shoulder tightened and his velocity dipped. Any worry about a significant injury has been alleviated.
“That’s as positive of information as we could get,” manager Jeff Banister said. “Now it becomes how he feels on the throwing side of it and how he responds.”
The Rangers will use the off day Thursday to skip Griffin’s turn in the rotation. Left-hander Martin Perez is scheduled for Friday against Toronto, righty Colby Lewis is set for Saturday, and the Rangers are leaning toward using lefty Cesar Ramos on Sunday in a spot start.
Lefties Derek Holland and Cole Hamels would throw the first two games at Oakland on Monday and Tuesday. After Sunday, the Rangers can go until May 24 without needing a fifth starter.
They hope Griffin can make that start.
Jeff Wilson: 817-390-7760, @JeffWilson_FWST
This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 1:24 PM with the headline "MRI shows no significant damage to Rangers’ Griffin."