Kyle McClellan Two Weeks from Throwing Again for Texas

Hazelwood West High alum and Texas Rangers reliever Kyle McClellan,  will be out for another two to three weeks nursing a ribcage injury.

According to the Rangers website, McClellan is suffering from a strained right lat muscle, and is about two weeks away from long toss and flat-ground throwing.

The injury was announced four days after McClellan threw two scoreless innings against the Brewers in early March.

McClellan signed on with the Texas Rangers' minor league team in January, and it seemed his pitching health was on the rise.

Early in February he was announced as a candidate for two spots on the Texas Rangers’ staff: fifth stater and long reliever.

Just two weeks later, McClellan's shoulder began causing him problems with soreness.

He will now likely start the season on the minor league disabled list, according to assistant general manager Thad Levine.

"Kyle will remain in camp," Levine said in a statement. "We anticipate him to rehab with us and make an impact with us, just maybe a little bit later than we anticipated.

"When a guy is coming back from shoulder surgery and there is an injury, I think the first cause for concern is if there is any structural issues related to the injury he suffered before."

Levine said the silver lining is the MRI revealed no structural damage.

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A healthy McClellan posted a 3.69 ERA in 378 innings while playing for the Cardinals. He went right into the minor leagues for the Cards upon high school graduation.

McClellan underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum and shoulder capsulitis in July 2012. Levine said the club’s medical staff does not believe the current problem is related to that surgery.

To read more about McClellan and his journey see:

• Kyle McClellan Advances in Texas Rangers Throwing Program
• McClellan Says He Might Never Pitch for Cards Again
• Cardinals Pitcher Kyle McClellan: See You in 2013
• Kyle McClellan Injured
• Could Kyle McClellan Be Headed Out of St. Louis?
• Hazelwood West's McClellan Works Out a One Year Deal to Remain a Cardinal
• Kyle McClellan Among Six Honorees Being Inducted into the Hazelwood West High School Hall of Fame
• St. Louis Cardinals Invade Hazelwood