The Los Angeles Angels’ lackluster season just got even more bleak.
On Monday, left-handed pitcher Patrick Sandoval told reporters he will undergo Tommy John surgery after suffering a torn biceps and a high-grade tear of a flexor muscle.
Sandoval is expected to miss at least a year and is not expected to return until midway through the 2025 season at the earliest, according to multiple reports.
Sandoval may not return until 2026.
Sandoval had a 5.08 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 35 walks in 16 starts this year.
Sandoval was especially hurt by walks: His four walks per nine innings were the fourth-most among MLB starting pitchers with at least 15 starts this year.
The 27-year-old last pitched against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 21, pitching just 2.1 innings before being replaced.
The left-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday and is expected to be out for an extended period of time.
Sandoval had a strong 2022 season, posting a 2.91 ERA and a 3.09 Defensive Independent Runner-Up in 27 starts.
However, his 2023 season did not live up to expectations, finishing with a career-best 4.11 ERA and an average of 4.6 walks per nine innings.
Sandoval and his durability have proven to be a reliable addition to the Angels’ starting rotation, with his 44 starts in 2023-2024 tied for 11th among American League pitchers.
The left-hander’s Fangraphs WAR (wins above replacement) of 1.2 was tied for the most on the Angels’ team.
In its first year without Shohei Ohtani and with Mike Trout sidelined since April 29 with a torn meniscus, Los Angeles finished with a 30-46 record, third-worst in the AL.
Without Sandoval, the Angels will need to rely on Tyler Anderson and Griffin Canning to carry the rotation for their short-term and long-term future.
From a baseball perspective, Sandoval is the latest pitcher to need elbow surgery.
Recently, some notable pitchers who have had surgery include Spencer Strider of the Braves, Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins and Shane McClanahan of the Rays.
