Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray is finished for the season after being placed on the injured list Tuesday due to a troubling right foot problem.
“It’s at a point where we’ve got to take care of this,” said manager Bruce Bochy.
Bochy also mentioned that right-hander Tyler Mahle is not expected to pitch again this season after making three starts in his return from Tommy John surgery.
This is the third time this season that Gray (5-6, 4.47 ERA) has been placed on the IL. The previous absences were due to a right groin strain that kept him out of a total of 33 games.
The foot issue, revealed as a neuroma causing sharp pain in the ball of the foot, had not been mentioned before. Surgery might be considered.
Gray had started 19 of his 23 games this season, which is his third year since signing a $56 million, four-year contract with the Rangers. This contract was signed alongside shortstop Corey Seager’s $325 million, 10-year deal and second baseman Marcus Semien’s $175 million, seven-year deal.
Mahle went 0-1 with a 4.97 ERA in three starts for Texas from August 6-18, following six rehab starts. He was then placed on the 15-day IL due to right shoulder tightness.
“We’re pretty much shutting him down,” Bochy said. “He’s going to play catch and throw and all that. But I don’t think we’ll see another start. I’m not ruling it out completely, but why take that risk and rush him back.”
Mahle signed a $22 million, two-year contract last offseason, and the Rangers were aware he would have limited pitching this season. He had made only five starts for Minnesota last year due to an elbow injury.
