Yohander

Mendez

Méndez was removed from the Rangers’ 40-man roster and wound up electing free agency during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season just a few months after being suspended by the organization for seeking unauthorized medical attention. The 27-year-old southpaw has missed significant time due to injury in recent years and last pitched in the majors back in 2019.

Mendez has also officially been outrighted off the 40-man roster. He was suspended by the Rangers back during spring training after seeking unauthorized medical attention.

Mendez was suspended by the team back in March for seeking unauthorized medical attention. He will be added to the 60-man roster pool.

Mendez hasn’t pitched this spring after being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation last month, and it seems he won’t be pitching for the foreseeable future. He was expected to have a shot of making the Rangers, largely because he’s out of options, but it’d probably be for the best if he were allowed to try his luck elsewhere.

The injury isn’t considered serious. Mendez, 25, was once considered one of the better pitching prospects in the Texas system, but he’s just competing for a long-relief role at this stage in his career.

Mendez has posted a 5.53 ERA and 18/15 K/BB ratio in 27 2/3 innings (five starts, three relief appearances) this year with Texas. He’ll presumably be working in long relief as the Rangers play out the string.

Mendez has completed his rehab from an elbow injury but will remain in the minor leagues. Jesse Chavez (elbow) was moved to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man roster spot.

Mendez has missed the entirety of the 2019 season to date due to a left elbow ligament sprain. He’s going to need several weeks to build up his stamina, but there’s a chance that he could work his way back to the Rangers in September.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Adrian Sampson. Mendez is out indefinitely with a strained UCL in his pitching elbow.

Mendez was expected to miss at least the first three month, so it’s surprising to see him on the 10-day IL rather than the 60-day. Perhaps the Rangers have grown more optimistic about his return.