Red Sox pitching prospect Thaddeus Ward undergoes Tommy John surgery

The Red Sox’ starting pitching depth beyond their big-league rotation is starting to become a major concern.

Thaddeus Ward, the Red Sox’ No. 10 overall prospect by Baseball America, underwent Tommy John surgery by Dr. James Andrews on Thursday, a source confirmed to the Herald. Ward made two starts for Double-A Portland this season, posting a 5.63 ERA and 11 strikeouts before being placed on the injured list on May 18 with a forearm strain.

The news of Ward’s Tommy John surgery was first reported by The Boston Globe.

The general timeline for a Tommy John recovery is 12-15 months, which would put the right-handed 24-year-old out for this season and at least a significant portion of 2022.

Ward, a 2018 fifth-round pick, is the second top Red Sox pitching prospect to have Tommy John surgery this year. Bryan Mata, the organization’s top-ranked pitching prospect, had his operation done on April 14.

It’s another hit to the Red Sox’ minor-league starting depth. Connor Seabold hasn’t yet pitched this season due to elbow inflammation, and Tanner Houck is working his way back from a flexor muscle strain. The Red Sox’ big-league starters have mostly stayed healthy this season, but if they need an emergency starter from Worcester right now, their options are dwindling.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3z3CJCX