Seranthony Dominguez is yet to undergo Tommy John surgery

Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi stressed the need for the team to stay healthy in his introductory press conference last November, alluding to how the bullpen collapsed because of injuries in 2019. He again stressed the need for the team to stay healthy over a 60-game slate Thursday, while admitting that the team will miss Seranthony Dominguez greatly in 2020.

After a seemingly successful offseason program, Dominguez injured the UCL in his right elbow in his first spring training outing. Unlike when he initially injured his UCL last June, it was determined this time that he needs season-ending Tommy John surgery.

On June 5, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that Dominguez had returned to the United States, with the expectation that he would undergo Tommy John surgery in the near future.

It’s unclear exactly what has caused a delay, but Girardi acknowledged Wednesday that while the Phillies still hope that the 25-year-old is able to undergo the procedure soon, it’s yet to take place.

For some time, it’s been apparent that Dominguez wouldn’t pitch at all in 2020, after being limited to just 27 appearances a season ago. As more and more time passes, it’s beginning to feel like the timeline of Dominguez’s eventual recovery could keep him from pitching at all in 2021 either.

As a reference, Phillies righty David Robertson had the same surgery last August. Robertson expressed optimism that he could pitch in the final weeks of the 2020 season, something that Girardi said could “absolutely” be a possibility if Robertson’s recovery continues to go well. That said, it would hardly be a surprise if Robertson ends up missing the entire 2020 season.

Dominguez burst onto the scene in 2018, posting a 2.85 FIP in 53 games. He posted a 4.02 FIP in 27 games in 2019, and it may be years until he makes another appearance at the Major League level.

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