MLB Weekly Digest March 23rd Edition: Boston Red Sox Pitcher Chris Sale Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery

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The last week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the American League who will need Tommy John surgery, another starting pitcher in the AL will be sidelined several weeks, and a pitcher in the National League has undergone an operation.

Boston Red Sox Starting Pitcher Chris Sale Needs Tommy John Surgery

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale will undergo Tommy John surgery, per a team announcement.

The #RedSox announced today that LHP Chris Sale will undergo ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery (Tommy John) on his left elbow.

— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 19, 2020

The Red Sox are unsure when Sale will have the operation, but they expect it to occur in “the fairly near future,” said Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.

Bloom said timing of surgery is still being finalized. "We expect it to be fairly soon…in the fairly near future."

— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) March 19, 2020

Sale had an MRI on his throwing arm in early March because of elbow soreness.

The Red Sox were optimistic that rest and rehab would help Sale deal with the injury.

However, the left-hander had resumed his throwing program last week after being shut down for two weeks when his pain came back.

The pitcher will be out until late 2021 or the beginning of the 2022 campaign, per Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.

Chris Sale had just resumed his throwing program Monday after being shut down for two weeks when the pain resurfaced. He'll be out now until late 2021 or the start of the 2022 season for the #RedSox

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 19, 2020

The injury is a monumental blow for the Red Sox as Sale was expected to be the ace in their rotation.

The other reason why the injury hurts is this was supposed to be the first year of a five-year, $145-million extension that was signed by him last March.

He will make $30 million this season, the highest for any player on the Red Sox’ roster, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The Red Sox just announced that Chris Sale will undergo Tommy John surgery.

Sale was unable to perform at his usual standard last season.

2020 is the 1st year of a 5-yr/$145M extension Sale signed last March. He’ll make $30M this year, making him the highest-paid Boston player. pic.twitter.com/xmm706lvxr

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 19, 2020

Houston Astros Starting Pitcher Justin Verlander Out Six Weeks After Groin Surgery

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander will be sidelined for six weeks after he had groin surgery, per a team announcement.

#Astros RHP @JustinVerlander underwent surgery on his right groin. He is expected to miss approximately six weeks.

We wish JV a speedy recovery, as we all wait for baseball season to return. #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/cJ2E0sd36U

— Houston Astros (@astros) March 17, 2020

The groin injury forced Verlander to delay his first spring training start.

He was shut down at the beginning of March because of a lat strain injury.

The lat strain was already going to delay his start to the season before the coronavirus postponed Opening Day.

The Astros had hoped physical therapy would work.

Still, a setback occurred during rehab, and surgery was recommended, said Astros general manager James Click, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

James Click: “The hope was that physical therapy would be the proper course of action. However, after a recent setback in his rehab, the medical staff recommended that a surgical procedure was necessary. The early prognosis is that Justin will be out for about six weeks.”

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 17, 2020

Verlander, who won the American League Cy Young last season, has proven over his MLB career to be an excellent starting pitcher.

If there is a regular season for MLB, the Astros will need Verlander healthy as he’s the anchor of their rotation.

San Francisco Giants Pitcher Tyler Beede Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Beede had successful Tommy John surgery a couple of days ago, per Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area.

Some very good news! Tyler Beede out of Tommy John surgery with a thumbs up. Let the healing begin. @SFGiants pic.twitter.com/RjT8bmkqoH

— Amy Gutierrez (@AmyGGiants) March 20, 2020

Beede had to exit a Cactus League game earlier in the month due to tightness in his elbow.

He underwent an MRI, which showed a flexor strain and UCL sprain, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

Tyler Beede’s MRI showed flexor strain and a UCL sprain in right elbow. Giants will have more info later in week.

— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) March 4, 2020

Beede was probably going to open the season in the Giants’ starting rotation before having the operation.

The right-hander appeared in 24 games (22 starts) for the team last year, posting a 5.08 ERA with 113 strikeouts, 46 walks issued, 22 home runs yielded, and a 5.03 FIP.