Twins RHP To Undergo 2nd Tommy John Surgery

A six-year veteran who's already missed two full seasons in his major league career will now have to sit out another year-plus. Minnesota Twins hard-luck right-hander Jose De Leon will have to undergo his second Tommy John surgery.

José De León underwent an MRI today, which revealed a torn ligament in his elbow. He’ll require Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 26, 2023

Once one of the top prospects in baseball, De Leon sat out the entire 2018 season and part of the 2019 season due to his first Tommy John. He was signed to a minor league deal by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022, but suffered an injury in spring training and never made an appearance in the big leagues.

This year, the 30-year-old was called up to Minnesota in mid-May after an encouraging performance in Triple-A, and tossed 17.1 innings for the Twins over the past six weeks, with a 17:5 strikeout to walk ratio.

But just when it appeared he'd finally made his way to the majors for a regular role, an MRI has revealed another torn elbow ligament. A brutal blow for the Puerto Rican righty, who'll now likely miss all of the 2024 season as well, as a second TJ surgery often has a recovery period of 14-18 months.

Photo: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports