PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Rafael Palmeiro, who underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage from his right knee, has rejoined his Texas Rangers teammates to begin his rehab.
The first baseman suffered the injury while jogging on March 4. He’s recuperating from surgery on the same knee on Feb. 10, but the two surgeries were unrelated. Articular cartilage was removed in the first surgery and medial meniscus cartilage was removed on Sunday.
Palmeiro is expected to miss four to eight weeks. Rangers officials said it’s possible he could be back by opening day on April 5.
Meanwhile, Rangers closer John Wetteland, who suffered a strain in the back of his right ankle, threw 15 minutes of batting practice Wednesday and is set to make his first appearance of the spring Friday against Toronto.
Mike Simms, a reserve first baseman and outfielder, will miss the start of the season and will be sidelined an undetermined period of time because of a tear of his left Achilles’ tendon, suffered while running last week.
Matt Perisho, rehabbing from left shoulder surgery, is expected to pitch Friday against Toronto.
Eric Moody, who has had stiffness in the right shoulder, was scheduled to throw off flat ground on Thursday.
Corey Lee sliced his left index finger with a knife last Friday and threw off flat ground Thursday, but the cut still bothers him.
Ruben Mateo, who has suffered from a stomach flu, made the trip with the team Thursday for an exhibition against the Yankees. He hadn’t played since Sunday.