Angels left-hander Patrick Sandoval informed reporters that he has a high-grade flexor tear and a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left arm. Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com was amongst these to relay the information on X. Whereas Bollinger makes use of the phrase “Tommy John surgical procedure,” Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register says on X that the precise nature of the surgical procedure isn’t but clear. Regardless, the lefty is finished for this yr and a part of 2025 as properly.
The information is clearly devastating, each for Sandoval personally and for the Angels as a group. Because the membership has struggled to search out constant high quality pitching in recent times, the southpaw has been one of many few shiny spots of their workers.
Because the begin of 2021, Sandoval has tossed 460 innings for the membership, permitting 3.80 earned runs per 9 frames. He struck out 22.6% of batters confronted in that point with a ten.2% stroll charge and 47.3% floor ball charge. Sadly, he needed to go away Friday’s begin in apparent ache and was positioned on the 15-day injured listing with an elbow pressure, and now the choice has been made that surgical procedure is required.
Sandoval certified for arbitration after 2022 as a Tremendous Two participant. He made $2.75MM final yr and is making $5.025MM this yr, with two extra arbitration seasons remaining. With the Angels having a poor season and no return to competition in sight, he may have been made accessible at this summer time’s deadline and been one of many extra enticing arms in the marketplace, one thing that MLBTR’s Steve Adams lately took a have a look at.
Now that gained’t be on the desk and Sandoval is a prolonged layoff. A full Tommy John surgical procedure often comes with a restoration timeline of 14 to 18 months, which might put his 2025 season in jeopardy. The interior brace selection can generally have shorter timelines, however solely by a couple of months.
The Angels will switch Sandoval to the 60-day injured listing after they want a roster spot however he’ll should be reinstated for the offseason. Assuming they tender him a contract for 2025, he gained’t be capable of get a lot of a increase on the heels of this truncated season. The membership could also be tempted to non-tender a pitcher that will not contribute something subsequent yr, however pitchers on this scenario usually signal two-year offers to cowl their restoration and return to the mound. The Angels can successfully do this simply by tendering him a deal for subsequent yr after which for 2026.
It’s additionally one other problem for a rotation that has had lots. Reid Detmers struggled sufficient this yr that he was optioned right down to the minors. Tyler Anderson is having an excellent yr however is 34 years outdated and has one yr left on his contract, making him a logical commerce candidate. Griffin Canning has only one yr of management past this yr as properly. Chase Silseth and José Soriano are additionally on the injured listing. Zach Plesac has been added to the roster recently however hasn’t discovered a lot success in his first two begins. With Sandoval’s surgical procedure, piecing collectively the rotation can be even more durable, each this yr and subsequent yr.
For Sandoval personally, he’ll lose the rest of his age-27 season and an honest chunk of his age-28 season as properly, placing a giant dent in his incomes energy. He’ll flip 29 years outdated in October of subsequent yr.