Perez opts for Tommy John surgery

ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Martin Perez, who has a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, has decided to have Tommy John surgery and will be sidelined for at least a year.

The surgery will be done on Monday by Dr. Keith Meister.

"I made the decision because the ligament is not 100 percent," Perez said. "I think it's the best decision for me. It's disappointing but at the same time, I am strong in my mind. That's the way you have to be. I'm good. I have the support of my teammates and my family. I understand the situation."

Perez made the decision after talking to other pitchers who have had the surgery, including teammates Joakim Soria and Colby Lewis.

"They told me it's not easy but if you're strong in your mind, you can do what you have to do," Perez said. "I'll be all right. You can't control the situation. It's happened to a lot of players, now it's happened to me. I'll be all right. It's better for me and better for the team. I'll have the surgery, work hard and be back strong next year."

Perez was 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA in his first five starts. He lost his last three starts but said he didn't feel any pain or discomfort in the elbow until his last start. Perez allowed six runs in 3 2/3 innings in an 8-3 loss to the Red Sox last Saturday.