Report: Caden Grice to undergo Tommy John surgery, out 12-14 months

The latest injury serves as another blow to a farm system decimated by injuries in 2024. Jordan Lawlar (thumb/hamstring), Tommy Troy (hamstring), Gino Groover (wrist), Yu-Min Lin (head), and Dylan Ray (elbow) have all missed time this year due to serious injuries.

Grice, 22, was selected by the Diamondbacks as a supplemental second round selection, taken 63rd overall, in the 2023 MLB Draft. A two-way player at Clemson, he has focused exclusively on the mound. In 12 appearances with Low-A Visalia, 11 starts, he pitched to a 3.75 ERA and a 68-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He ranks as the No. 18 prospect in the Diamondbacks system according to MLB.

Grice profiles as a bottom-of-the-rotation starter with a very repeatable delivery and a solid three-pitch mix. His fastball sits in the low-90s with sink to go with a two-plane slider around 80 MPH and a changeup with similar action to his fastball. The injury pushes his arrival on the mound one, possibly two seasons depending on how quickly he can finish his rehab. It’s unlikely he’ll be close to full strength before the start of the 2026 season.