Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval to undergo surgery to repair torn UCL – Orange County Register

ANAHEIM — Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval received several notices about his injured elbow, but the news was always bad.

Sandoval revealed Monday that he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament and a “pretty high-grade” flexor tear. He said he was going to have surgery “as soon as possible.”

Sandoval said he was not yet sure of the exact nature of the surgery, but typically a torn UCL leads to Tommy John surgery, which would likely result in Sandoval being out until 2026 .

“It sucks,” Sandoval said. “There’s no other way to say it. I love being on the field. I like to play. It’s just unfortunate.

Sandoval is not eligible for free agency until after the 2026 season. He is arbitration eligible for each of the next two seasons. The Angels could go non-tendering or sign him to a multi-year deal at a discounted rate, with the goal of getting some production after his rehab.

For now, Sandoval must face the reality that his disappointing season is over.

“It’s a long recovery process,” Sandoval said. “It sucks, obviously, but I’m going to come back stronger.”

Sandoval, 27, is 19-45 with a 4.01 ERA in his career, but that comes in two distinctly different chapters. In 2021-22, Sandoval had a 3.17 ERA. After a poor start in 2023, he finished strong and had a 4.11 ERA. Although Sandoval was named the Angels’ Opening Day starter this season, he posted a 5.08 ERA in 16 starts.

He left Friday’s game in the third inning when he felt something in his elbow. Saturday’s MRI showed the damage.

“You never really expect this kind of injury, but you realize how common it is in the game, especially at this high level with how hard guys are throwing,” Sandoval said.

The Angels now need to find a way to replace Sandoval in the rotation. They still don’t know who will pitch on Wednesday.

Manager Ron Washington said over the weekend that Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth haven’t yet shown enough at Triple-A for them to be considered ready to return to the majors.

INJURY UPDATES

Third baseman Anthony Rendon, rehabbing a torn hamstring, ran the bases for the first time during his rehab Monday. Rendon hit and ran defensive drills.

Second baseman Brandon Drury was once again out of the lineup due to an upper respiratory virus. Drury attended a workout before the game and Washington said he was available for the game.

Right-hander Adam Cimber was placed on the injured list for the first time with right shoulder inflammation.

Shortstop Zach Neto returned to the lineup after exiting Saturday’s game with a calf contusion.

There has been no change in Mike Trout’s activity. The three-time American League MVP said last week that he is still unable to run at full weight on a treadmill, which rules out baseball activity.

FUTURE MANAGER

Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay was an A’s player when Washington was third base coach, and he said he could tell the former Cal State Fullerton star would become manager.

Given this, Washington was asked which Angels player could be a manager. At first he said they were “too young” for him to have a good idea, but then he had one.

“I’m going to take risks,” Washington said. “If I had to pick one who would be a great manager, it would probably be (Nolan) Schanuel. He has the temperament.