From Joe: Oh great. This is the same thing that’s been bothering McLemore for the last couple of years. Everyone’s saying that Raffy will be fine for opening day. It just strikes me as funny that someone has surgery right before the start of spring training, and they say he’ll be fine. Sounds fishy to me. :( Don’t get me wrong, I do hope he’s fine, but it worries me.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers first baseman Rafael Palmeiro underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a slight cartilage tear in his right knee.
Palmeiro, who signed a $45 million, five-year contract to return to Texas after five years in Baltimore, is believed to have injured himself while running stairs as part of a workout last week.
Doctors said he might be limited a bit at the beginning of spring training, but he should be able to play in exhibition games. He’s expected to be ready for the start of the season.
Team orthopedist John Conway said the tear was in the area of the groove on which the kneecap slides.
As a left-handed hitter, Palmeiro gets his power by stepping into the ball and planting his right leg. He hit .296 with 43 homers and 121 RBI for the Orioles last year.
The Rangers also announced that they signed four rookies on the major league roster to contracts: pitchers Derrick Cook, Ryan Glynn and Jonathan Johnson and infielder Kelly Dransfeldt.
The team now has agreed to terms with 33 of its 40 roster players.