It had been anticipated, but it’s now confirmed for Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Murphy.
The southpaw reliever will miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery to address the ulnar collateral ligament damage in his left elbow.
The procedure was conducted at the Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington, Texas. There’s a possibility that Murphy might also miss a portion of the following season while recovering from this significant injury.
Murphy, who was vying for a position in the bullpen, was sidelined during the midpoint of spring training due to elbow discomfort, causing concern for the Red Sox from the outset. An MRI in mid-March revealed ligament damage, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.
“Chris was expected to play a significant role for us,” manager Alex Cora remarked to reporters before Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, as reported by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
“He was poised to be a versatile left-handed pitcher capable of handling multiple innings and effectively facing right-handed batters. He performed admirably last season against right-handed hitters. Although his velocity was solid, his skill in pitch selection was exceptional. He was a vital part of our plans.”
Murphy had a promising start with the Red Sox when he made his MLB debut in June of the previous year. He began with eight scoreless innings and concluded the season with a 4.91 ERA across 20 appearances, recording 49 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings.
Murphy now joins the list of injured players for the Red Sox, alongside Trevor Story and Lucas Giolito, both of whom also underwent elbow surgery involving an internal brace procedure last month.
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