Injuries Derail Spring for Rangers Pitchers Jon Gray, Jose Leclerc

The Texas Rangers starter and reliever are both working through minor injuries as Spring Training continues.

Texas Rangers pitcher Jon Gray said he’s feeling better and he’s targeting his next outing for the middle of next week.

Meanwhile, Jose Leclerc discussed the next stiffness that will keep him from pitching in the World Baseball Classic.

Gray talked with Inside the Rangers about missing his scheduled Friday start. He said he’s feeling better and Friday was “one of those where you wake up weird.”

The Rangers announced that Gray would be an injury scratch about an hour before the game.

His injury was described as back stiffness and that made him the fourth starting pitcher in camp to deal with some level of a minor injury since spring began.

Jacob deGrom, the offseason’s prized acquisition, hasn’t pitched in a spring game due to left side soreness, but threw another bullpen on Saturday.

Nathan Eovaldi was scratched from his scheduled start for a minor injury that is similar to deGrom’s. Jake Odorizzi is dealing with arm fatigue, but is on a throwing program.

As for Leclerc, he told The Dallas Morning News that his stiff neck is “very minor.” But the injury wakes him up at night and needs treatment, but not every day.

The Rangers pulled him from the WBC as a precaution, with manager Bruce Bochy saying they didn’t want to send a player to the tournament that wasn’t quite 100 percent.

This means the Rangers are down to two players that will participate in the WBC. Martín Pérez will pitch for Venezuela and Rangers pitching prospect Mitch Bratt will playing for Canada.

Pérez started Saturday, which is likely his last appearance before leaving for WBC camp in Miami.

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