Rangers' Wetteland To Have Surgery

Texas Rangers closer John Wetteland will have surgery on his pitching elbow this month to remove a bone spur.

The Rangers said Tuesday that Wetteland should be ready for next season if his recovery time is normal.

He'll have arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Oct. 27 in Inglewood, Calif. The bone spur to be removed bothered Wetteland at times this season, when he went 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA and club-record 42 saves.

The Rangers also said that outfielder Warren Newson has been granted free agency after refusing an assignment to Class AAA Oklahoma. Newson spent most of 1998 in the minor leagues.

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