ARLINGTON, Texas - The faint hope that Texas left-hander Martin Perez would be able to rehab his partially torn left ulnar collateral ligament officially came to an end.
Perez will have Tommy John surgery Monday with team doctor Keith Meister handling the surgery.
"I made the decision because my ligament is not 100 percent good," Perez said. "I think it's the best decision for me now. Let's go out for one year and come back next year. I know it's not an easy decision for me but that's just the only way that I can do, just make my surgery and just be focused on my rehab."
The decision to have the surgery was expected. The only other option was to try and rehab the arm for 8-12 weeks and then attempt to pitch again with no guarantees that would work.
Instead Perez will become the second Texas lefty to have Tommy John surgery this season, joining reliever Pedro Figueroa. Now the Rangers have to hope he's back at some point in the 2015 season.
Perez was the club's player of the month in April as he posted a pair of shutouts. He then struggled in his next three outings and said he felt pain in his arm in his May 10 start against Boston. He lasted just 3 2/3 innings in that game and allowed nine hits and six earned runs while dealing with tightness in his left triceps.
An MRI revealed the partial tear and set the stage for the first-ever surgery for the 23-year-old. He'll end the season with a 4-3 mark and a 4.38 ERA.
"I'm strong in my mind and that's where you have to be good," Perez said. "I've got the support from my teammates and my family. It's not easy but I understand the situation. The only thing I'm going to do is work hard and help my team win games."
While Perez has made his decision the club still is waiting for word on Matt Harrison. The lefty will have an injection in his back Monday to try and relieve the pain caused by spondylolisthesis. Harrison will then talk with his family before deciding if he will try and rehab and pitch again this year or have spinal fusion surgery.
