All you need to know about what happened to José De León of the Minnesota Twins, and why is he not playing.
Rright-handed pitcher José De León of the Minnesota Twins has a torn ligament in his elbow and will need surgery known as the Tommy John procedure. Nightengale brings to light the fact that this will be De León’s second Tommy John operation; the congressman previously had the procedure done in 2018.
This is a very unfortunate setback for De León, who is now 30 years old and has been plagued by injuries throughout his professional career. Baseball America ranked him in the top 30 of their top 100 prospects list both in 2016 and 2017. At one point in time, he was thought to be one of the most promising players in the league. His first bout with TJS wiped out 2018 and part of 2019, and he had a difficult time getting back on track in 2020 and 2021 as a result.
This past year, it appeared as though De León was heading in the right direction. He participated in the World Baseball Classic with Puerto Rico and threw 5 2/3 innings in which there were no runs scored while racking up 10 strikeouts. After that, he moved up to the Triple-A level and pitched 27 and a third innings with a 3.62 earned run average. This allowed him to return to the major leagues, where he pitched for the Twins with a 4.67 earned run average through 17 and a third innings before being placed on the injured list yesterday with a strain in his right flexor muscle.
Sadly, his most encouraging performance in recent years will now be cut short before it has even reached its full potential. Given that recovery from TJS typically takes between 14 and 18 months, he will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2023 season and probably for a good portion of the 2024 campaign as well. As soon as the Twins need his roster spot, he will undoubtedly be moved to the 60-day injured list and will remain there for the remainder of the season.
José De León made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on September 4, 2016, when he was called up by the Tampa Bay Rays. Born on August 7, 1992, in Isabela, Puerto Rico, De León attended the Southern University of Puerto Rico. While there, he showcased his pitching talents and caught the attention of scouts. In 2013, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 24th round of the MLB Draft. This marked the beginning of his professional baseball journey.
De León began his minor league career in the Dodgers’ farm system, steadily progressing through the ranks. He quickly established himself as a promising prospect, showcasing his excellent pitching repertoire and strikeout ability. His performances on the mound earned him recognition and helped him climb the ladder towards the MLB.
In 2016, De León’s hard work and dedication paid off when he received the call-up to the majors with the Tampa Bay Rays. His debut season saw him make four starts, posting a 2-0 record with a 6.35 ERA and 15 strikeouts. Although his initial stint in the MLB was brief, it demonstrated his potential and provided him with valuable experience at the highest level of the game.
Since his debut, De León has faced various challenges, including injuries that limited his playing time. Despite setbacks, he has continued to work on refining his skills and seeking opportunities to contribute to his team’s success. Throughout his professional career, De León has demonstrated an arsenal of pitches, including a fastball, changeup, and breaking balls, which he uses to keep hitters off-balance. With his determined mindset and continuous development, he has the potential to make a significant impact in the MLB.
Read More:
Follow our dedicated page for MLB for instant news and updates.