The Tampa Bay Rays have to wonder when the carnage will end, as another prospect is slated for Tommy John surgery.
It has been a rough year to be a Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect. Already, top prospects Brent Honeywell, Jose De Leon, and Anthony Banda have been sidelined, struck down by the scourge of Tommy John surgery. That trio alone would be enough to make any team cringe when looking at the injury report.
Now, the Rays have another name to add to the list. Jose Mujica, another top pitching prospect, has been fallen prey to TJS as well.
#Rays prospect RHP Jose Mujica underwent Tommy John elbow surgery today, will miss all of 2019 season. Joins Honeywell, De Leon, Banda as having TJ this year.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 11, 2018
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It is a tough blow for a pitcher that may have factored into the Rays plans in 2019. Although he was shelved for two months earlier this season, Mujica had managed to pitch at three levels this season, reaching AAA. Overall, in his 57.2 innings, he posted a solid 3.75 ERA and a 1.301 WHiP, striking out 44 batters against 15 walks.
While those numbers may not jump out, he was dominant at Durham. Mujica made seven starts totaling 36.2 innings. In that time, he posted a 2.70 ERA and a 1.118 WHiP, striking out 34 batters and issuing only ten walks. That is the type of performance that lead to the hope that Mujica can be a solid middle of the rotation option.
There are questions about Mujica’s durability, even before this procedure. He has pitched in over 100 innings just twice in his six year minor league career, missing time with foot problems in his first two seasons. However, by the time that he returns from this procedure, he will still be only 24 years old, and potentially ready to stake a claim as part of the Rays future.
The Tampa Bay Rays have seen yet another pitching prospect fall to Tommy John surgery, as Jose Mujica will go under the knife. Hopefully, this is the last pitcher to have such a fate befall them this season.