All articles tagged with #ucl tear
Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg will undergo season-ending elbow surgery after a partial UCL tear, leaving him on the 60-day IL for the remainder of 2026; a potential return in 2027 is possible but depends on recovery, as Baltimore navigates a stretch of injuries in the infield.
Twins right-hander Pablo López will undergo Tommy John surgery for a torn UCL, sidelining him for the 2026 season and aiming for a 2027 return. It will be López’s second TJ procedure, after one earlier in his career. He’s been a key part of Minnesota’s rotation, though 2025 was interrupted by a teres major strain and a forearm issue. With López out, Joe Ryan is expected to start Opening Day as Minnesota relies on internal options and offseason additions to fill the vacancy.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg has been diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow and will skip surgery for now, instead receiving a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to try to avoid an internal brace or Tommy John procedure. He is expected to miss at least April, with his return timeline dependent on how well the PRP responds. If surgery becomes necessary, the 2026 season could be largely lost; a successful PRP route could allow a later-season return as a designated hitter, but timelines remain uncertain. With Westburg and Holliday out, Baltimore faces a thinner infield early in spring training.
Minnesota right-hander Pablo López was diagnosed with a UCL tear in his right elbow and is seeking a second opinion, with season-ending surgery a possibility. The injury threatens López’s 2026 contribution after a strong prior season, and it creates rotation depth questions for the Twins as they evaluate alternatives and potential upgrades.
Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver has a torn UCL in his throwing arm, likely sidelining him until 2026, with the decision between Tommy John surgery or internal brace procedure yet to be made. Despite the injury, he had a promising season at age 22, and hopes remain for his future recovery and success.
Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers injured his right thumb during a game against the LA Clippers, and an MRI revealed a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). He will undergo surgery and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.
New York Yankees rookie outfielder Jasson Dominguez has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, according to manager Aaron Boone. The injury is expected to sideline Dominguez for approximately nine to ten months, and surgery has not yet been scheduled. Despite the setback, Boone remains optimistic about Dominguez's future in baseball. The 20-year-old switch-hitting center fielder has made an impressive start to his major league career, hitting .258 with four home runs and seven RBIs in eight games.
Shohei Ohtani's recent UCL tear is unrelated to his previous injury in 2018, and he will not pitch for the rest of the season. Speculation about whether the Angels should have sat him until he received an MRI has been addressed by new information. Ohtani's reported fatigue was simply fatigue and not an existing UCL issue. The team offered him an MRI earlier this month after a finger cramp, but it was turned down as there was no indication for imaging. Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, who deeply cares about his health, did not believe an MRI was necessary. The tear is in a different part of the muscle, and sources express optimism about Ohtani's diagnosis. He has returned to play and is in good spirits.
Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian revealed that Shohei Ohtani and his camp declined testing on his arm prior to the imaging that revealed his torn UCL. Ohtani will not pitch for the rest of the season, and it is unclear whether he will require surgery. Despite the injury, Ohtani returned to the Angels' lineup as a designated hitter. The Angels' decision not to insist on earlier testing has raised questions and could potentially impact their relationship with Ohtani, who is a pending free agent.
Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right throwing elbow, ruling him out for the rest of the season and potentially requiring a second Tommy John surgery. The severity of the tear and the need for surgery will be determined after a second opinion. Recovery time for Tommy John surgery is typically 12-18 months, and there is no guarantee Ohtani will return to his pre-surgery form. This injury may impact Ohtani's future value and contract negotiations, but he remains a highly talented player and could potentially transition to an outfielder if pitching setbacks occur.
Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for the remainder of the season due to a tear in his UCL, according to Angels general manager Perry Minasian. Ohtani, who had Tommy John surgery in 2018, has been dealing with various minor ailments and arm fatigue recently. Despite the injury, the team hopes he can continue playing as a designated hitter. Ohtani's exceptional performance this season, both as a pitcher and hitter, has made him one of the best players in baseball, and he is expected to receive a lucrative contract in free agency this winter.
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom will undergo surgery to repair a tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament, ending his season. It is unclear if the procedure will be reconstructive Tommy John surgery or another surgery. The 34-year-old deGrom underwent Tommy John surgery once before, following his debut season as a professional in 2010. The right-hander made six starts this season before being placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation.
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom will undergo surgery for a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, which will keep him out indefinitely. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner had not pitched since April 28 due to injury concerns. The latest MRI showed more inflammation and significant structural damage that wasn't there on the scan after deGrom exited the game against the Yankees. It is unclear if he will undergo Tommy John surgery or another procedure to repair the UCL.