The St. Louis Cardinals have received disappointing news regarding one of their key pitchers, Hunter Dobbins, who is set to miss an entire year after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Dobbins had surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and a flexor tendon, a procedure that could sideline him for the entirety of the 2027 season.
Dobbins, who is 27 years old, had the surgery on September 1, 2026, marking the second time he has faced such a significant medical issue with his right elbow. Previously, he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 while with the Boston Red Sox organization. The recovery process from this latest surgery is expected to take at least 12 months, raising concerns about how effective he will be upon his return.
While the specific nature of the surgery has not been disclosed, it is crucial to determine whether it involved a complete ligament replacement, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, or a less invasive repair using an internal brace. The uncertainty surrounding his recovery process adds to the challenges the Cardinals face as they look to build a competitive roster.
Dobbins last took the mound on August 21 against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he exited after just one pitch into the fifth inning. Following that game, he was placed on the 15-day injured list, which ultimately led to the discovery of his elbow issues. Over the course of the 2026 season, Dobbins had appeared in 11 games, with eight of those being starts, and he posted a 3.67 earned run average (ERA) and a 4.30 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) across 54 innings.
As the Cardinals navigate this setback, they may need to consider placing Dobbins on the 60-day injured list to create space on their 40-man roster. This move would effectively keep him sidelined for the start of the 2027 season, a situation that could impact the team's pitching depth significantly.
Dobbins was acquired by the Cardinals from the Red Sox in a trade that sent veteran catcher Willson Contreras to Boston. This deal was part of a broader strategy by the Cardinals to transition their roster, as they also traded other prominent players like Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray. While Contreras has been enjoying a standout season in Boston, the Cardinals are now left to deal with the ramifications of losing Dobbins at a critical time.
Currently, the Cardinals are competing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game series. After winning the first two games, including a remarkable comeback victory in extra innings, the team is striving for a sweep. As of now, the Cardinals hold a record of 70-70, sitting 3.5 games behind a National League Wild Card spot. Their chances of making the postseason are slim, with FanGraphs estimating only a 3.7% likelihood of clinching a playoff berth.
In the upcoming game, rookie pitcher Quin Matthews is set to start for the Cardinals, facing off against Tarik Skubal of the Dodgers. The match is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. As the team looks to secure a winning record, they must also grapple with the long-term implications of Dobbins' injury on their pitching staff and overall season strategy.
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