MLB.com: McCarthy suffers setback in recovery

The possibility of Brandon McCarthy being ready for the start of the season appears to be diminishing rapidly. The possibility of Luis Mendoza being needed at the Major League level is rising.

McCarthy, making his first Cactus League appearance of the Spring, had to cut short his outing against the Brewers on Friday with more pain in his right elbow/forearm area. McCarthy was supposed to go two innings and 30 pitches, but was pulled after one inning and 19 pitches when the elbow problem flared up again.

“It happened on the third curve ball I tried to throw,” McCarthy said. “I felt good out there. My fastball was alive and my curve ball was good. Everything felt good mechanically and it just flared up on me.”

McCarthy has been bothered by pain and inflammation in the elbow/forearm area for the past three weeks. The Rangers thought they had it under control enough for him to pitch against the Brewers, now it’s unclear when he’ll pitch again.
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The Rangers, even before McCarthy had to cut short Friday’s outing, were already looking at ways to increase their pitching depth and are mulling the possibility of signing free agent pitcher Sidney Ponson to a Minor League contract and bringing him into Spring Training.

The thought of Sidney Ponson pitching in the Texas heat creates a most unpleasant mental image.