Nationals Reliever Has Tommy John Surgery; Likely Out Until 2024

When he went on the IL with a UCL sprain a couple of weeks back, the worst fear for Washington Nationals reliever Tanner Rainey was the dreaded Tommy John surgery. We now learn that it has indeed come to pass, as he underwent the procedure on Wednesday.

Tanner Rainey had Tommy Join surgery today, with Dr. Keith Meister performing in Texas. This had been the expected outcome since he first landed on the IL a couple weeks ago. Will sideline him until at least August 2023.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 3, 2022

The former second-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, Rainey had worked himself into the closer's role for the Nats this season, posting 12 saves, with 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings. 

He actually might have been a nice trade chip for Washington in their deadline sell-off, had the elbow injury not struck.

Now, with TJ surgeries taking well over a year to recover from, the 29-year-old will miss likely the entire 2023 season, not to return until 2024. 

“It obviously stinks,” manager Davey Martinez said. “It’s frustrating. He understands that he’s got a long road ahead of him, but he wants to get back as soon as possible.”

Photo: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports