Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Kyle Hurt is undergoing Tommy John surgery on July 30 that ends his 2024 season and puts doubt on being able to pitch in 2025 as well.
The news comes weeks after Hurt had been shut down from throwing upon leaving a relief appearance for Triple-A Oklahoma City on July 10 because of right elbow soreness.
“Very tough. Kyle’s a really good kid. Worked hard once he got here with us to kind of be a guy, and then now to learn he’s going to go under the knife at the end of the month, it’s disappointing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“I feel for him, It’s a long road back, but I still believe that certainly with that surgery, the prognosis is really good.”
Although Hurt only has 8.2 career innings under his belt at the Major League level, he was effective in limited action. The right-hander allowed just one run over 6.2 innings pitched and seemingly adjusted well to a bullpen role.
Hurt’s potential and versatility as a reliever is what makes the loss a particularly tough pill for the Dodgers to swallow.
Hurt adds to a list of not only Dodgers prospects to face season-ending injuries this season but overall pitchers. Earlier this year Emmet Sheehan had a Tommy John hybrid surgery, while Dustin May more recently required esophageal surgery that is preventing him from returning this year.
Meanwhile, Tony Gonsolin is still on the 60-day injured list after he had Tommy John surgery last year and does not look likely to pitch this season.
Kyle Hurt’s injuries
Although Hurt was included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series and was with the team for the Dodger Stadium opener, his 2024 season was marred by injuries.
The 26-year-old appeared in two games before getting optioned to Oklahoma City at the end of March. He made two starts in the Minors and returned to the Dodgers roster in the middle of April to fill an opener role.
Hurt then was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on April 20. Seven days later the Dodgers transferred him to the 60-day IL.
Hurt was activated and optioned on June 21 but only pitched in five more games before suffering the right elbow injury.
All but two of his 13 games with the Oklahoma City Baseball Club were out of the bullpen despite the Dodgers maintaining they viewed Hurt as a starting pitching prospect.
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