The Los Angeles Dodgers received more bad injury news on Wednesday, as it was reported by Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation that right-handed pitcher Kyle Hurt was set to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.
BREAKING: Dodgers right-handed pitcher Kyle Hurt is scheduled to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, sources tell me. @DodgersNation
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) July 24, 2024
Hurt, 26, made just three relief appearances at the MLB level this season before dealing with numerous injuries, his most recent one being a season-ending torn UCL. One of the top pitching prospects in the Dodgers’ deep farm system, Hurt had the potential to impact the Dodgers’ postseason push.
More news: Dodgers Shockingly Cut Veteran Pitcher Amid Wave of Injuries
Hurt was initially placed on the injured list in April with right shoulder inflammation. Then, after making a return in Triple-A, he left a July 4 outing with another injury. That one has now ended his season. He’s scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on July 30.
Hurt was looking like a real threat for the Dodgers out of the bullpen this year as a long reliever. In three appearances, Hurt pitched 6.2 innings, allowed just one earned run for a 1.35 ERA. Last year, he made his MLB debut in which he threw two scoreless innings, including striking out the side in the ninth against the San Diego Padres.
Unfortunately, Hurt’s 2024 season never really got off the ground. Injuries have derailed what was supposed to be a breakout season for the young pitcher, and he’ll now miss the rest of 2024 and likely most of 2025.
Hurt is one of the many Dodgers pitchers to miss significant time this season.
Clayton Kershaw hasn’t pitched this year due to offseason shoulder surgery, but is expected to finally be activated off the injured list on Thursday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been out since mid-June due to a shoulder issue, and has no timetable for a return. Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May both won’t pitch this year due to various health issues, while Walker Buehler missed the first month of the season, and is now back on the IL.
In the bullpen, Brusdar Graterol has missed the entire season, while Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly have missed a majority of it.
With Hurt being the latest Dodgers pitcher to officially be pronounced out for the year, L.A. has one fewer arm to rely on for the stretch run. Thus, with the upcoming July 30 trade deadline, the Dodgers know they need to be extra aggressive in adding arms as they aim to go far in the 2024 postseason.
The Dodgers have been linked to starting pitchers Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox and Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, and should also be in the mix to add a pitcher in a tier below, such as Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty.
The Dodgers could also benefit from adding some bullpen help, similar to the 2023 deadline when they added Kelly from the White Sox and Ryan Yarbrough from the Kansas City Royals.
More news: MLB Trade Deadline Bold Predictions: Tarik Skubal, Yankees, Dodgers and More
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