For the second time in his pro career, Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Joe Ross will undergo Tommy John surgery. Ross opted for surgery for a second round after having an MRI and further tests down on his elbow last week.
“Joe opted to have surgery,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said during the MASN broadcast. “No date yet but he wants to get it repaired and fixed. After the surgery, it’s just a whole lot of healing and strengthening, getting him ready to get on the mound again as soon as possible.”
Ross started the season on the 60-day injured list following a procedure to remove bone spurs from his elbow. The revelation was made near the onset of spring training. Ross had hoped to return to the team after missing the last three months of last season with a partially torn UCL.
He had rehabbed both setbacks to recover. Then, he made a rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg on May 24. After three innings he experienced tightness in his elbow, setting off concerns for the organization.
The MRI last week revealed he had more of a sprain as the team’s doctors initially thought. Further tests followed leading Ross to make the decision for surgery.
Ross had his first Tommy John surgery in 2017. He missed much of the 2018 season. He returned to the mound full-time in 2019, starting the season out of the bullpen to preserve his innings. But, he ultimately got bumped up as starter and started Game 5 of the World Series during the Nationals’ championship run.
The timing of his second surgery is peculiar for Ross. This is his final year in the Nationals’ control. He’s set to experience free agency for the first time in his career. Coming off a second Tommy John surgery as a free agent will surely limit his options next winter.
Martinez added he told Ross he wants him to stay with the organization and make his comeback with the Nationals.
A first-round pick, Joe Ross was part of the Trea Turner trade that sent both players from the San Diego Padres to the Washington Nationals in 2014. Ross spent the past eight years with the Nats. He made his MLB debut on June 6, 2015. He opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ross made 98 appearances, including 76 starts with the Nationals over the span of six seasons. He compiled a 26-28 record. Pitching 443 ⅓ innings, he has a 4.26 ERA, 1.331 WHIP along with 403 strikeouts and 141 walks.
