Blue Jays: Thomas Hatch Leaves Game with Injury

The Blue Jays and right handed pitcher Thomas Hatch have taken a blow Wednesday afternoon when the 26-year old was removed from his start against the New York Yankes while holding his right elbow.

Shi Davidi from Sportsnet reported that Hatch looked fine through the first two innings of the game.  Hatch had started the game with two shutout frames while striking out three.

When he came out for the third inning he started showing noticeable discomfort during a leadoff walk to D.J. LeMahieu to start the inning.  Hatch was seen continually trying to loosen his arm out during that at bat.  Aaron Judge was the second batter of the inning and during the third pitch, he followed off Hatch’s two strike pitch, at which point Hatch let out a yell and grabbed onto his right arm.

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Hatch left the game with what the Blue Jays are reporting as right elbow/forearm discomfort.  Hatch was hoping to earn a starting rotation spot after a strong 2020 audition.  He impressed in his rookie seasons posting a 3-1 record with a 2.73 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.  Including today’s appearance, Hatch had not allowed an earned run over four innings while striking out five.

Any time a pitcher has this type of reaction the immediate assumption is Tommy John surgery.  The injury comes just a day after reports that Nate Pearson had a setback with his injured Groin. The two injuries happening in such close time frame to each other brings back memories of 2012 when the Blue Jays had Drew Hutchison, Kyle Drabek and Brandon Morrow all removed from their starts with injuries within five days of each other.  Drabek and Hutchison would be lost for the season after having Tommy John surgery, while Morrow would miss two and a half months with an oblique strain.

The Blue Jays will likely bring out a press release on Thursday with some sort of update and hopefully it is saying the injury will be minor, but it doesn’t look good.