Texas Rangers Starter Jon Gray Leaves Game After Being Hit By Line Drive

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray left his start early on Saturday night after being hit by a line drive in the right arm. He left in the bottom of the third inning against the Houston Astros and has been diagnosed with a right forearm bruise. There will be more information after the game.

The Texas Rangers, seeking to make their first playoff appearance since 2016, have already lost starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi for the season.

Now? The team is dealing with another injury to the staff as starting pitcher Jon Gray left his start in the bottom of the third inning on Saturday night after being hit by a line drive in the right arm. He has been diagnosed with a right forearm bruise and there should be more information available after the game.

The ball was hit by Houston Astros' player Yainer Diaz and went for a single.

Gray attempted to stay in the game but was unable to, per reporters on scene.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweeted "Gray is coming out of the game after taking a few warmup pitches. His right elbow is swollen. Shakes his head as he leaves mound.

Gray is coming out of the game after taking a few warmup pitches. His right elbow is swollen. Shakes his head as he leaves mound.

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) April 15, 2023

Grant also says that the exit velocity on the ball was 109.3 mph.

That ball that hit Gray left the bat at 109.3 mph

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) April 15, 2023

Gray is in the second year of a four-year, $56 million deal that was signed before the 2022 season. The Rangers have spent a ton of money to upgrade their pitching staff, signing Gray last offseason and Jacob deGrom, Andrew Heaney and Nathan Eovaldi this offseason. This all comes in addition to signing Corey Seager and Marcus Semien before the 2022 season to bump up the offense as well. 

The 31-year-old is 1-1 this season with a 3.21 ERA. For his career, he's 61-57 with a 4.49 ERA. He spent seven years with the Colorado Rockies before signing with Texas.

At the time of this posting, the Rangers and Astros are tied at 2-2 in the top of the fifth inning.

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