Jul 20, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers opening pitcher Darien Nunez (62) throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers' Darien Nunez to undergo Tommy John surgery

Originally posted on MLB Trade Rumors | By Mark Polishuk | Last updated 4/23/22

Dodgers left-hander Darien Nunez will undergo Tommy John surgery this week, according to reporter Francys Romero.

Source: Cuban LHP Darien Nuñez (29) will require Tommy John surgery. He will travel to Los Angeles this Sunday and the surgery will take place on Tuesday.

It’s a shame, considering everything he had to go through to get the Big Leagues, but surely he will come back stronger. pic.twitter.com/ZQ1PEOzrou
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) April 23, 2022

Given the usual recovery timeline for TJ surgery, the 29-year-old Nunez will be sidelined until at least May or June 2023.

Nunez was an amateur signing out of Cuba in 2018, as the southpaw followed five seasons in the Cuban National Series with a couple of years away from the game, as he was trying to secure his release from the CNS and his eligibility for playing in the majors.

Over 126 1/3 innings in the Dodgers’ farm system, Nunez has a huge 39.57% strikeout rate and a 2.49 ERA, though his 9.45% walk rate is slightly on the high side.

This production resulted in Nunez getting a call to the big leagues last season, though he posted only an 8.22 ERA over 7 2/3 innings of work.

Nunez is on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster, so his inevitable placement on the 60-day injured list will give the Dodgers another 40-man spot to work with for future moves. Tommy Kahnle and Caleb Ferguson are both working their way back from their own Tommy John procedures and are expected back in May, so that 40-man spot could be used on either pitcher when they return to action.

This article first appeared on MLB Trade Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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