Colby Lewis and the Texas Rangers did not receive good news on Monday, as both the Rangers and Lewis found out that Lewis' season is over, and that the talented right hander has a torn ligament in his elbow.
This will likely force Jon Daniels' hand in the coming week, as the Rangers will now almost certainly look to add a starting pitcher as a necessity, rather than a luxury.
Even without a move, the Rangers will make the playoffs. However, a rotation of Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and Roy Oswalt in the playoffs hardly is fearsome, and is extremely volatile. I could easily see the Rangers sweeping an ALDS opponent or being swept with that rotation.
Colby Lewis was a very important part of Texas' rotation.
So, now the Rangers will likely increase their efforts of landing either Cole Hamels, who Tim Kurkjian believes is who Texas really wants in the next week, Zack Greinke or Matt Garza.
Of course, Mike Olt could be a casualty as a consequence. The Rangers may be more likely to move Olt to acquire a top of the rotation pitcher, knowing that Lewis will not pick up another baseball for them in 2012.
The consequences don't stop there, though. It's been reported that the Diamondbacks are high on Mike Olt, and that Olt could be used as a centerpiece to land Justin Upton. If the Rangers have to move Olt to acquire a pitcher, all dreams of Upton coming to Texas are likely over.
One thing is for sure: the next week will be very busy for Daniels.