Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval will undergo surgery to repair torn UCL

Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval revealed on Monday that he has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and a “pretty high grade” flexor tear. He said he’s going to have surgery “as soon as possible.” Sandoval said he’s not sure yet the exact nature of the surgery, but typically a torn UCL leads to Tommy John surgery, which would likely keep Sandoval out until 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

ANAHEIM — Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval received multiple opinions on his injured elbow, but the news was still bad.

Sandoval revealed on Monday that he has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and a “pretty high grade” flexor tear. He said he’s going to have surgery “as soon as possible.”

Sandoval said he’s not sure yet the exact nature of the surgery, but typically a torn UCL leads to Tommy John surgery, which would likely have Sandoval out until 2026.

“It sucks,” Sandoval said. “There’s no other way to put it. I love being out on the field. I love playing. It’s just unfortunate.”

Sandoval is not eligible for free agency until after the 2026 season. He’s arbitration-eligible for each of the next two seasons. The Angels could non-tender him or they could sign him to a multi-year deal at a discounted rate, in an effort to get some production following his rehab.

For now, Sandoval has to deal with the reality that his disappointing season has come to an end.

“It’s a long recovery process,” Sandoval said. “It sucks, obviously, but I’m going to come back stronger.”

Sandoval, 27, has a 19-45 record and a 4.01 ERA in his career, but it’s come in two distinctly different chapters. In 2021-22, Sandoval had a 3.17 ERA. After a bad start in 2023, he finished strong and had a 4.11 ERA. Although Sandoval was named the Angels’ Opening Day starter this season, he posted a 5.08 ERA in 16 starts.

He left Friday’s game in the third inning when he felt something in his elbow. The MRI exam on Saturday showed the damage.

“You never really anticipate that kind of injury, but you’re aware of how common it is in the game, especially at this high level with how hard guys throw,” Sandoval said.

The Angels now need to find a way to replace Sandoval in the rotation. They are still undecided about who will pitch on Wednesday.

Manager Ron Washington said over the weekend that Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth had not yet shown enough at Triple-A for them to considered ready to return to the majors.

INJURY UPDATES

Third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is rehabbing from a torn hamstring, ran the bases for the first time in his rehab on Monday. Rendon has been hitting and doing defensive drills.

Second baseman Brandon Drury was out of the lineup again because of an upper respiratory virus. Drury went through a workout before the game, and Washington said he was available for the game.

Right-hander Adam Cimber threw for the first time going on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

Shortstop Zach Neto returned to the lineup after coming out of Saturday’s game with a calf contusion.

There has been no change in Mike Trout’s activity. The three-time American League MVP said last week that he’s still unable to run with his full weight on a treadmill, which precludes any baseball activity.

FUTURE MANAGER

Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay was a player with the A’s when Washington was the third base coach, and he said he could tell the former Cal State Fullerton star would become a manager.

Given that, Washington was asked which Angels player could be a manager. At first he said they’re “too young” for him to have a good idea, but then he came up with one.

“I’m going to go out on a limb,” Washington said. “If I had to choose one that would be a tremendous manager, it would probably be (Nolan) Schanuel. He’s got the temperament.