Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson is set to undergo Tommy John surgery
Reds starting pitcher Brandon Williamson announced on Wednesday that he has a complete UCL tear, which will require Tommy John surgery.
The left-handed pitcher had to leave Tuesday night’s game against Atlanta in the second inning due to an elbow strain. He briefly doubled over near the mound and was replaced by Fernando Cruz.
“It kind of came out of nowhere,” Williamson said, noting that he had two MRIs to confirm the tear.
Williamson, who was drafted in the second round in 2019, had previously injured his shoulder during spring training. At 26 years old, he made his first major league start of the season on September 1, which was one of four starts he made this year.
“It was just baseball in the first inning,” Williamson said. “I felt a bit off, but not physically.
I think my mechanics might have been a little altered. After a long first inning in the second inning, I felt like I needed to push a bit harder to warm up.
There were no warning signs for me. I felt fine. I threw a changeup on the third pitch (to Michael Harris II) and felt a little tweak. As a pitcher, you feel things all the time, so I didn’t think much of it. Then on the next pitch, I really felt it.”
Before the injury, Williamson had given up three runs over 13 innings in three games. He allowed three runs in the first inning on Tuesday and ended the season with no wins and a 3.77 ERA.
“He is still young and athletic,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He obviously won’t be on the mound for opening day. I don’t have any details on the timeline yet, but I hope we can set a realistic goal to have him back with time left in the season next year.”
Cleveland Guardians Suffer Brutal Injury Blow Ahead Of Postseason
The Cleveland Guardians announced Tuesday evening that they have placed All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sept. 14, due to mid-back inflammation.
Kwan, who last took the field on Sept. 12, had been absent from the starting lineup for Cleveland’s pivotal game against the Minnesota Twins.
In his place, the Guardians tapped Angel Martínez as the starting left fielder and leadoff hitter.
Kwan’s absence comes at a critical juncture in the season as the Guardians look to secure their place atop the AL Central. Known for his stellar defensive prowess and consistent hitting, Kwan has been a key contributor both at the plate and in the field.
Over his last four games prior to being sidelined, Kwan posted a red-hot .385 batting average with a .954 OPS, marking a sharp turnaround from a slump in August, during which he hit just .132 with a .394 OPS.
Before his recent downturn, Kwan was enjoying a breakout season, batting .326 with an .871 OPS before his slump began in mid-August. His overall season numbers still reflect his strong contributions, with a current .291 average and .783 OPS.
In addition to his offense, Kwan’s Gold Glove-winning defense has been vital for Cleveland. He has accumulated nine defensive runs saved through 112 games this season, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s premier defensive outfielders.
In Kwan’s absence, the Guardians made additional roster moves, calling up outfielder Myles Straw from Triple-A Columbus. Straw’s promotion required a spot on the 40-man roster, which Cleveland made available by designating veteran right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco for assignment.
Kwan, a rising star since finishing third in the 2022 AL Rookie of the Year voting, has put together an impressive young career.
Over his first two seasons, he has compiled 24 home runs, 149 RBI, 52 stolen bases, and a 12.6 WAR. His defensive accolades, including back-to-back Gold Gloves in 2022 and 2023, underline his importance to Cleveland’s outfield alignment.
