Rangers shut down hurler Diamond
Recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery, righty will rest
The Rangers are giving pitcher Thomas Diamond the rest of the season off.
Diamond is 16 months removed from having Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, and the Rangers feel the right-hander has pitched enough this year. Instead, he'll have surgery to have a bone spur removed from his ankle and start getting ready for 2009.
Diamond, the Rangers' No. 1 pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, pitched in 12 games, including 11 starts, for Double-A Frisco this season and was 3-3 with a 6.20 ERA. He pitched 53 2/3 innings and allowed 54 hits and 37 walks, while striking out 47.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com.