While I was at the complex in Goodyear today it came out that 2016 3rd round draft pick Nick Hanson would be undergoing Tommy John surgery. Eric Roseberry was the first one on it:
Source: #Reds Nick Hanson (3rd round pick in the 2016 draft) could require Tommy John surgery. Trying to confirm.
— Eric Roseberry (@ericroseberry) March 23, 2017
It simply hasn’t been a good run of things for the Reds when it comes to pitchers and injuries. We’ve covered it for the last three seasons now. While every organization has guys that get hurt, it certainly feels like the Reds are getting it worse than other organizations are.
Nick Hanson was taken last year in the 3rd round and pitched in eight games after the draft. He had plenty of struggles along the way. The 18-year-old had a 9.18 ERA in 16.2 innings where he had 15 walks and strikeouts. He was raw, but the reports on his stuff were very strong.
It would seem that it’s likely going to be the summer of 2018 before we get a chance to see Nick Hanson take the mound again.
Other injury news and updates
Early this morning I reported that Shed Long left the game early with some lower back pain on Wednesday, but that it was precautionary. He was back in action this morning, at least for batting practice and he seemed like he was doing fine.
In January it was reported that Zack Weiss had to have surgery on his right elbow (not Tommy John). I spoke with him today and he says he’s feeling good. He won’t be ready to start the season, but he’s already on a throwing program and things are going well. He missed all of 2016, and he’s going to miss some of 2017, but it would be big for the organization if he’s able to return to form.