Guardians left-hander Sam Hentges will undergo shoulder surgery next week, the team announced. Dr. Neal ElAttrache will repair both the labrum and capsule in Hentges’ left shoulder, and the recovery period is expected to be in the range of 12 to 14 months. In all likelihood, the procedure will keep Hentges out of action not only for the balance of the 2024 season but also the entirety of the 2025 campaign. Hentges has been out since July 10 with what was originally termed inflammation in his left shoulder.
It’s an awful blow for the Guardians and the 28-year-old Hentges alike. The former fourth-round pick had a rough debut campaign as a starter in 2021 but has thrived as a reliever across the past three seasons. Dating back to 2022, Hentges boasts a terrific 2.93 ERA with a 27.7% strikeout rate, 7.5% walk rate, 58.1% grounder rate and just 0.52 HR/9. Metrics like FIP (2.66) and SIERA (2.93) feel he’s been as good or perhaps even better than that more rudimentary earned run average would indicate.
As Hentges broke out as a quality reliever, the Guardians increasingly trusted him in higher-leverage spots. Former manager Terry Francona and (to a lesser extent) rookie skipper Stephen Vogt wound up trusting Hentges in a pivotal setup role to star closer Emmanuel Clase. He’s picked up 32 holds and one save over the past three years and been remarkably effective while pitching in those pressure-packed spots; Hentges only has one blown save in those 34 save situations into which he’s been placed.
Hentges and the Guardians agreed to a one-year, $1.1625MM deal this season in his first trip through the arbitration process as a Super Two player. He’s controllable for another three seasons but would be owed a small raise in arbitration next year after pitching 23 2/3 innings of 3.04 ERA ball and collecting nine holds this season. He’d then likely be owed that same salary for the 2026 season. Since he can be controlled through 2027, it’s likely the Guards will still tender him a contract and be content to pay him around $3MM combined for the 2025-26 seasons even though he won’t pitch in the former.
Best wishes to the young man on his recovery. Always think of a teammate whose shoulder problem ended his career every time I hear about one of these.
That’s a bummer. There have been times where Hentges has been dominant out of the bullpen.
@CK
Yeah, he’s been more than decent and incredibly cheap, in term of dollars cost. Superb bridge to the closer. This really hurts the Guardians for the next six weeks…
Fortunately for the Guardians, the bullpen is pretty deep. Not a lot of teams could lose guys like Stephan and Hentges and still have an elite bullpen.
Not terrible this season, but nevertheless…another mid relief pitcher.
They have to re-sign Anthony Gose to take his place, don’t they?
Thems the rules
I watched the best sports movie ever, and they were the indians!!!!!!!
And now they’re the Guardians. Things change, keep up
No, but this one is. Time to move forward.
No, but this one is indifferent. How does the name change affect you personally? How has it affected your life? Move on
“Old man yells at cloud”
Um, yeah, so Hentges huh?