The Los Angeles Angels recently announced that left-handed pitcher Tyler Skaggs will require Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL and will miss the entire 2015 baseball season.
Skaggs, just 23 years old as of last month, was 5-5 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. He had 86 strikeouts and had issued 30 walks so far this season. He also has a 50.1% groundball rate, and 3.55 FIP , all of that equating to a 1.6 fWAR on the year.
Skaggs left early in the fifth inning of last Thursday July 31st’s game against Baltimore with forearm tightness and discomfort. He had yet to allow a hit to the AL East-leading Orioles when he departed. He was originally diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain and put on the 15-day disabled list.
Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times has reported that Tyler Skaggs has chosen to ultimately rule out any comeback timetable for 2015, and instead will focus on a lengthy rehab and be ready for the opening of the 2016 season. (SIA Profile)
As a result the injury not only hurts the Angels hopes this season, taking out on of their starters, but also will force the team to look to add another starter this off-season, either through free agency or trade.
Skaggs was Keith Law’s 12th best prospect in 2013.
The Angels acquired Skaggs earlier this year in a three team trade that saw Mark Trumbo go to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Adam Eaton go to the White Sox. The Angels also picked up Hector Santiago in the deal that was meant to fortify the back end of the pitching rotation.
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photo credit: Keith Allison via photopin
