Perez to make season debut on Friday
Left-hander to face Astros in first start since Tommy John surgery
ARLINGTON -- Rangers left-handed pitcher Martin Perez, who underwent Tommy John surgery on May 19, 2014, will return to the rotation and pitch against the Astros on Friday in Houston.
Perez will be followed by right-handers Colby Lewis and Yovani Gallardo in the three-game series. To make room for Perez, the Rangers have optioned right-handed reliever Roman Mendez back to Triple-A Round Rock.
Perez was 0-1 with a 4.56 ERA in six starts on a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco and Round Rock. He last pitched on Sunday night for Round Rock and allowed five runs on 12 hits in six innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out six while throwing 96 pitches.
Perez was 4-3 with a 4.38 ERA in eight starts a year ago and has a career Major League record of 15-13 with a 4.13 ERA in 40 games (34 starts).