Angels’ Patrick Sandoval to have Tommy John surgery, could possibly be out until 2026

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels starter Patrick Sandoval is headed for Tommy John surgery.

The 27-year-old Opening Day pitcher suffered a high-grade flexor tear, as well as a tear of his ulnar collateral ligament. While there’s no specific timetable for a recovery, it’s possible that Sandoval could be out until 2026.

“It sucks, there’s no other way to put it,” Sandoval said. “I love being out there on the field, I love playing. It’s just unfortunate.”

Sandoval removed himself from his start Friday at Dodger Stadium, motioning to the dugout after throwing an 89-mile-per-hour sinker to Shohei Ohtani.

He does not have a date for the surgery and said he hasn’t decided if he will get a full reconstruction. This is Sandoval’s first first Tommy John surgery. He had a 5.08 ERA in 16 starts this season.

“It is tough for everyone, especially him. Because he was starting to really compete,” said Angels manager Ron Washington. “But you can’t control it. I just told him the best of luck and that I love him.”

The injury puts Sandoval’s future as an Angel in limbo. He is under team control until after the 2026 season. But the Angels could non-tender him, making him a free agent after the season. They could also look to sign him to an extension, which would likely last the duration of his recovery and beyond.

Coming into last season, it appeared that Sandoval was a budding star for the Angels. He’d come off a 2022 campaign with a 2.91 ERA and then dominated in two starts with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

However, things have not gone according to plan. His walk rate went up significantly last year, and his strikeouts declined along with it.

“You never anticipate having an injury,” Sandoval said. “But I’m kind of aware of how common it is in the game. Especially at this level and how hard guys throw.”

Required reading

(Photo: Robert Edwards / USA Today)