Dodgers left-hander Darien Nunez will undergo Tommy John surgery this week, according to reporter Francys Romero (Twitter link). Given the usual recovery timeline for TJ surgery, the 29-year-old Nunez will be sidelined until at least May or June 2023. Nunez is on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster, so his inevitable placement on the 60-day injured list will give the Dodgers another 40-man spot to work with for future moves
Nunez was an amateur signing out of Cuba in 2018, as the southpaw followed five seasons in the Cuban National Series with a couple of years away from the game, as he was trying to secure his release from the CNS and his eligibility for playing in the majors. Over 126 1/3 innings in the Dodgers’ farm system, Nunez has a huge 39.57% strikeout rate and a 2.49 ERA, though his 9.45% walk rate is slightly on the high side.
This production resulted in Nunez getting a call to the big leagues last season, though he posted only an 8.22 ERA over 7 2/3 innings of work. Still, between Nunez’s ability to miss bats and toss multiple innings, he was seen as an interesting bullpen depth option for the Dodgers down on the farm, though now his career will be put on hold for the next 13-15 months.
Kahnle will fill that spot im sure, though i would like Ferguson back up at some point.
Nunez, Kahnle, and Ferguson already on the 40-man roster. Kahnle is on rehab assignment, Ferguson on IL and Nunez was previously optioned by Dodgers to OKC
Really liked Darien with a loopy changeup. Was at his debut, will always cheer for him
Was at the game where he gave up a 3-run shot to Blackmon in the 10th. Have the opposite opinion
Dang, I was looking forward to seeing this guy pitch in bigs with his unorthodox style.