MESA, Ariz. -- A's right-hander Jharel Cotton is keeping a healthy dose of optimism in his pocket as he heads to Dallas for a second opinion on his injured elbow.
Cotton was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament earlier this week, but isn't yet ready to commit to what typically follows -- Tommy John surgery.
"I'm trying to be optimistic about it," Cotton said Friday morning. "I don't know anything for certain. I'll see what happens, and hopefully it's better news and we'll go from there."
Cotton, who also has a strained flexor muscle, has plans to see orthopedic surgeon and Rangers head physician Dr.