The 2022 MLB season might be over for the Chicago White Sox’s lefty reliever Garrett Crochet before it even started. According to the team’s general manager Rick Hahn, Crochet will “very likely” need Tommy John surgery after getting hurt during the Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Crochet had a good start to the Reds game, striking out the Reds’ infielder Sebastian Almonte. However, his next pitch caused him to feel soreness in his arm, and he had to exit the contest.
According to Hahn, Crochet will seek a second opinion on the injury in the next couple of days, but the initial news is not great.
“The preliminary MRI reading is not great,” Hahn explained. “There appears to be some damage to the ligament.”
If Crochet undergoes Tommy John surgery, he would miss the entire 2022 season and likely a portion of 2023. In that case, the White Sox will most likely have to turn to lefties Anderson Severino and Bennett Sousa despite neither having any MLB experience. Another option would be finding Crochet’s replacement on the trade market.
The Chicago White Sox drafted Garrett Crochet with the 11th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft and immediately added him to their majors’ roster. He made five appearances in his first year as a pro before taking on the full role in 2021. Crochet played 54 games last season, finishing with a 3-5 record, 2.54 ERA, and 65 strikeouts.
