SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers top prospect Sebastian Walcott underwent successful elbow surgery on Monday. The team also received good news in the process.
Walcott’s surgery, performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, was an internal brace procedure. That carries a significantly shorter rehabilitation timeline than a traditional Tommy John surgery, and because of that, the Rangers project a five-to-six month recovery for their 19-year-old shortstop.
“If all things go according to plan,” Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said Tuesday morning, “we’re looking at probably an August return for him back to game action.”
Fenstermaker said that the club hasn’t yet fully mapped out where Walcott will start once he returns but said that they’re “talking” about regular season minor league games. The Rangers will also discuss whether the Arizona Fall League or a winter league could be suitable options for Walcott to make up the at bats he’ll miss. Walcott will not necessarily be a “full go” once he returns, per Fenstermaker, though he’ll be able to hit before he can field.
Rangers
His stint in the AFL last fall was cut short by elbow inflammation. He felt renewed soreness when he arrived to big league camp this spring and it was determined that a procedure was necessary before the full squad had even reported.
Walcott, the club’s consensus top prospect, slashed .255/.355/.386 with 13 home runs at Double-A Frisco last season. He ranks No. 7 on MLB Pipeline’s list of prospects leaguewide and No. 16 on Baseball America’s.
Texas Rangers top 30 prospects: No. 29 Braylin Morel must harness raw talent for results
Morel possesses tantalizing power at the plate but will have to become a more patient hitter.
The Brandon Nimmo Effect? Signs of Rangers’ culture change already apparent at camp
The new Rangers outfielder was already the subject of some hijinks from Corey Seager.
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.