Another reminder how fragile the state of pitching is hit hard Friday morning when left-hander Cole Ragans left a minor league intrasquad game with left elbow discomfort during his first inning of work. Ragans was the Rangers top pick in 2016. He and 2017 draftee Hans Crouse are considered the top two pitching prospects in the organization.

Ragans was to undergo an MRI Friday afternoon and be examined by team medical director Dr. Keith Meister. The concern with any elbow injury is damage to the ulnar collateral ligament that would require season-ending surgery and rehab of about 13 or 14 months. Ragans, 20, spent last season at short-season Class A Spokane in the Northwest League. He was 3-2 with a 3.61 ERA in 57 innings and is expected to be at Class A Hickory this season.

Briefly: LHP Mike Minor, pitching in a minor league intrasquad game, struck out 11 in five innings of work. He allowed three hits and a run. ... LHP Matt Moore was not sharp early in his outing against Seattle but did extend his pitch count to 80 and was able to get an out in the fifth inning. On this turn through the rotation, the Rangers wanted starters to go five innings or about 75 pitches. ... RHP Nick Gardewine was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. ... The Rangers granted LHP Jon Niese his release Friday. Niese, who did not pitch last year due to knee issues, suffered a subscapularis muscle strain below his shoulder.

Twitter: @EvanPGrant