MLB Weekly Digest May 8th Edition: Astros Garcia Needs Surgery

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The prior week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the American League who needs to undergo season-ending surgery, a pitcher in the National League is dealing with a shoulder injury, and a pitcher has a chronic back issue.

Houston Astros Starting Pitcher Luis Garcia Needs to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

The Houston Astros will be without a crucial member of their starting rotation for the rest of the season as starting pitcher Luis Garcia needs to undergo Tommy John surgery, per a team announcement.

Update on Luis Garcia. pic.twitter.com/e3hTqzjXn8

— Houston Astros (@astros) May 6, 2023

There has not been a date set for the operation.

Garcia was placed on the injured list with right elbow discomfort on May 2.

The typical recovery timeframe for pitchers that undergo this procedure is 12 to 18 months.

Garcia will be out for the remainder of the 2023 campaign and will likely return sometime next season.

The loss of Garcia is enormous for the Astros’ rotation.

He was throwing the ball well for the club in 2023, as indicated by his 4.00 ERA in 27 innings pitched (six starts) with 31 strikeouts, 10 walks issued, three home runs allowed, a 110 ERA+, 3.73 FIP, and a 1.29 WHIP.

The right-handed pitcher was solid for the club last season.

He compiled a 3.72 ERA in 157 1/3 innings pitched (28 starts) with 157 strikeouts, 47 walks yielded, 23 home runs surrendered, a 105 ERA+, 3.93 FIP, and a 1.13 WHIP.

Hopefully, once Garcia undergoes the procedure, he will not have any setbacks in his recovery process.

Atlanta Braves Pitcher Kyle Wright Placed on Injured List with Shoulder Injury

The Atlanta Braves have placed pitcher Kyle Wright on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, per a team announcement.

The #Braves today recalled LHP Dylan Dodd to Atlanta and placed RHP Kyle Wright on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 4, 2023

Wright underwent an MRI, and the examination showed no structural damage to his shoulder.

There is no timetable for his return, per Grant McCauley of 92.9 The Game.

No structural damage found in MRI of Kyle Wright's shoulder is a promising development. Strain will keep him sidelined for a while though. No timetable for a return.

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) May 5, 2023

Wright was forced to leave his last outing early against the Miami Marlins.

He began the season on the injured list with a shoulder injury, which might be why he struggled this year.

In five starts, Wright has posted a 5.79 ERA in 18 2/3 innings pitched with 20 strikeouts, 10 walks allowed, two home runs given up, a 78 ERA+, 4.54 FIP, and a 1.76 WHIP.

The poor start is a significant decline from how Wright performed last year with the Braves.

He compiled a 3.19 ERA in 180 1/3 innings pitched (30 starts) with 174 strikeouts, 53 walks yielded, 19 home runs allowed, a 128 ERA+, 3.58 FIP, and a 1.15 WHIP.

A shoulder injury for a MLB pitcher is concerning as it takes time to heal, and the Braves are optimistic that Wright can return this season.

New York Yankees Starting Pitcher Carlos Rodon Diagnosed with Chronic Back Issue

New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon has been diagnosed with a chronic back issue and is set to receive a cortisone injection next week, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Carlos Rodon said he has been told his back issue is "chronic." He is tentatively scheduled to have the cortisone injection next week. Asked if a July return is realistic, he said: "I can't put a timeline on anything. I'll get this injection and I want to throw as soon as I can."

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) May 5, 2023

Rodon did have a bullpen session in mid-April while rehabbing from an elbow injury that occurred in spring training.

However, he suffered a back injury during the bullpen session, requiring more testing.

He had another bullpen session in late April after having CT scans that came back clean.

However, he needed additional testing, which led to a chronic diagnosis.

The Yankees signed Rodon to a six-year contract during the offseason and are hopeful he will pitch for the club this year.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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