MLB News: Angels’ Patrick Sandoval to Undergo Surgery

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The Los Angeles Angels have hit a big problem with their starting pitcher, Patrick Sandoval. He needs Tommy John surgery, which is a serious operation. This surgery will fix a torn ligament in his elbow. It will take Sandoval a long time to get better, maybe up to 14 months. He might not be able to play again until 2026.

Sandoval got hurt during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. At first, he thought it wasn’t too bad, but doctors found out it was serious. After throwing a pitch to Shohei Ohtani, he signaled to the dugout that something was wrong.

“It sucks,” Sandoval said. “I love being out there on the field. I love playing. It’s just unfortunate.” Even though he’s upset, Sandoval is determined to recover. He hasn’t decided if he will have a full reconstruction, but he wants to do whatever is best for his recovery.

This injury puts Sandoval’s future with the Angels in question. He is under team control until after the 2026 season. The Angels have to decide if they will keep him or let him become a free agent after this season. They could also sign him to a new contract that covers his recovery time.

Manager Ron Washington feels bad for Sandoval. “It is tough for everyone, especially him. Because he was starting to really compete,” Washington said. “But you can’t control it. I just told him the best of luck and that I love him.”

Will the Angels Look for a New Starter? 

Sandoval’s injury leaves a big hole in the Angels’ starting rotation. The team needs to find a new pitcher to take his place. Washington said that Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth, who are in Triple-A, are not ready to move up to the majors yet.

Sandoval understands that injuries are common in baseball, especially with how hard players throw. “You never really anticipate that kind of injury, but you’re aware of how common it is in the game, especially at this high level,” he said.

Before this injury, Sandoval was doing well. He had a great 2022 season with a 2.91 ERA and did well in two starts with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. This season, however, was harder for him. His ERA was 5.08 in 16 starts, his walk rate went up, and his strikeouts went down.

The MLB Odds might be affected by this big change. Losing a veteran key pitcher like Sandoval is a huge setback. The team has struggled with starting pitching for over a decade, and this injury makes things even harder for them.

As the Angels look for a solution, fans will be watching closely to see how the team handles this challenge. The next few months will be crucial as the Angels try to fill the gap left by Sandoval and keep their slim hopes for this season and 2025 on track.