Detroit Tigers rookie pitcher Jackson Jobe will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, the club announced Wednesday.
Dr. Keith Meister, team physician and orthopedic consultant for the Texas Rangers, will perform the operation, which has not yet been scheduled.
“It’s obviously really disappointing news,” Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg said. “Really feel for Jackson. Obviously, everybody sees the talent, and he made a really positive impression to this team in his short time here. He’s going to work through this. He’s a very determined individual.”
Jobe, ESPN’s No. 7-ranked prospect entering the season, was 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 10 starts this year. He had 39 strikeouts and 27 walks in 49 innings.
The right-hander felt discomfort in the elbow during a start against the visiting San Francisco Giants on May 28 and was placed on the 15-day injured list with a Grade 1 right flexor strain.
“As is standard process in our medical evaluation process, we sought additional evaluations,” Greenberg said. “Through that evaluation process, a UCL injury was also discovered. From there, there were a series of conversations between Jackson, the doctors and the medical staff, and ultimately, surgery was determined as the path.”
Jobe was selected with third pick out of high school in the 2021 amateur draft by the Tigers. He made his major league debut late last season when he was called up during the Tigers’ playoff push and threw a combined four scoreless innings, giving up only one hit, in two relief appearances.
Detroit has the best record in the American League at 44-25.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
