Gabbard was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation Saturday, a day after pitching only 3 1/3 innings in his latest start. It is the second DL stint this season for Gabbard, and the ninth disabled list move involving seven different Texas starting pitchers.
Manager Ron Washington said Gabbard felt pain in his elbow after Friday night's 8-7 victory over Philadelphia, and felt worse when he got to the ballpark Saturday. Gabbard, the lefty who was 2-3 with a 4.82 ERA in 12 starts, will have an MRI on Monday.
The Rangers called up right-hander Warner Madrigal from Triple-A Oklahoma. Madrigal, a converted outfielder looking to make his major league debut, was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 14 saves in 31 relief appearances for Oklahoma and Double-A Frisco.
Mendoza, who began the season as the Rangers' fifth starter but has also had two DL stints, will return to the rotation Wednesday night at the New York Yankees in Gabbard's spot.
"He's somebody we expect to be in our rotation for a long time to come, and now he's healthy," Washington said. "He's in the rotation [to stay] barring no health problems."
The 24-year-old Mendoza (1-2, 5.74 ERA) made his first start April 12 after beginning the season on the DL with a blister on his right middle finger. He went back on the DL on April 25 because of right shoulder inflammation and has been in the bullpen since being recalled from Oklahoma on June 20.
"Right now, I'm 100 percent healthy," Mendoza said.
Gabbard was also on the disabled list from April 22-May 7 because of back stiffness. In his first start after that, Seattle first baseman Richie Sexson flung his helmet at Gabbard while charging the mound after an eye-high pitch that appeared more over the plate than inside. That ignited a bench-clearing brawl and led to Sexson getting suspended.
The Rangers also have had another setback in the rehabilitation of Hank Blalock, a former two-time All-Star third baseman who is moving to first base when he finally makes it back.
Blalock felt soreness in his surgically repaired left hand after taking some swings in the batting cage Friday. Team doctors told Blalock he shouldn't try to swing again for at least a week.
"It's frustrating to me," said Blalock, who had hoped to be back by now but won't play until after the All-Star break. "I've been trying to push it. ... I'll listen, and take the week and do everything the trainers tell me to do."
Blalock was originally on the 15-day DL since April 29 with a torn left hamstring. He recovered from that injury and was preparing for a rehabilitation assignment when he experienced wrist soreness that required surgery to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome.
Right-hander Brandon McCarthy (right forearm inflammation) has been on the DL since spring training, Jason Jennings made six starts before season-ending elbow surgery, and rookies A.J. Murray (left rotator cuff strain) and Doug Mathis (right shoulder inflammation) are also on the DL. Kevin Millwood had a 15-day DL stay in May because of a right groin strain.
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