Photo Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago White Sox Relief Pitcher Set to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Originally posted on FanNation Fastball | By Sam Connon | Last updated 2/21/24

The Chicago White Sox announced Tuesday night that right-handed pitcher Edgar Navarro will undergo Tommy John surgery in early March.

MLB.com beat reporter Scott Merkin was among those to pass along the update on the reliever's health.

Navarro, who just turned 26 years old earlier this month, made his MLB debut in 2023. He put up a 7.27 ERA, 1.500 WHIP and nine strikeouts in 8.2 innings pitched with the White Sox.

Chicago outrighted Navarro to Triple-A Charlotte in December, but he had earned a non-roster invitation to Spring Training in the meantime.

RHP Edgar Navarro will have Tommy John surgery in early March per the White Sox
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 21, 2024

Navarro may not have much success at the MLB level, but he has thrived in the minors over the past few years.

The Venezuelan righty ascended from High-A to Triple-A in 2022, going 4-2 with a 3.64 ERA and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings along the way. In 2023, between Double-A and Triple-A, Navarro went 3-2 with a 3.59 ERA.

Navarro's strikeouts per nine innings dipped to 7.5 this past season, though, and his WHIP remained above 1.400. The 5.3 walks per nine innings Navarro has allowed in his professional career have also remained a concern.

The chances Navarro was going to make the White Sox's Opening Day roster were up in the air before this most recent injury, but now he will miss their entire 2024 season. He could also be unavailable to open 2025, depending on how his rehab goes.

This article first appeared on FanNation Fastball and was syndicated with permission.

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