A couple of veteran A.L. starters landed on the i.l. last week due to flexor tendon issues
Flexor tendons are in the news, with both a key starting pitcher for a division rival and a former Texas Ranger starter landing on the injured list in recent days with flexor tendon strains.
Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert was pulled from his start on Friday after three perfect innings due to elbow soreness that first flared up during his pre-game warmups. The diagnosis was a Grade 1 flexor tendon strain, the mildest grade of strains, and he’s been shut down for two weeks, after which time he will be re-evaluated.
That’s not great news for the Mariners, as Gilbert has been their best starter this season after finishing 6th in the Cy Young voting in 2024. The Mariners were expected to be relying on their strong starting rotation once again as they look to make the playoffs in 2025, and Gilbert missing time is problematic, given that Seattle is somewhat lacking in depth beyond their top five starters. However, they are currently in first place in the American League West, despite a disappointing start to the season by their rotation, due to an offense that has been surprisingly potent in the first month of the season.
While Gilbert is expected to be back at some point in 2025, the news isn’t so good for former Ranger lefty Martin Perez. Perez, who joined the Chicago White Sox on a one year deal this past offseason, has a flexor tendon strain that is more serious than Gilbert’s, and is expected to sideline him for the rest of 2025.
The good news for Perez, who had a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings over four starts to begin the 2025 season, is that he doesn’t require a second Tommy John surgery, as was initially feared — he underwent TJS originally in 2014. However, that’s cold comfort for the ChiSox, who were looking for the 34 year old to eat some innings for their rebuilding club this year.