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Cardinals' Jordan Hicks to Undergo Tommy John Surgery, Will Miss 12-13 Months
June 25, 2019
St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks' 2019 season has come to an end.
President of baseball operations John Mozeliak announced Tuesday that Hicks will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday. The Athletic's Mark Saxon added the estimated recovery time is 12-13 months.
Hicks' decision to undergo elbow reconstruction surgery seemed likely after the team announced Monday he had a torn UCL and it was exploring options.
Since making his Major League Baseball debut in March 2018, Hicks has set new standards for fastball velocity. The 22-year-old averaged 101.2 mph with his heater this season, per FanGraphs. He set an MLB record in May 2018 with a 105.1 mph pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Hicks made strides in his second season after struggling with his control as a rookie. He will finish 2019 with a 3.14 ERA, 31 strikeouts and 11 walks in 28.2 innings after walking 45 in 77.2 innings last year.
The Cardinals could use John Gant, who has three saves and a 2.40 ERA this season, in the closer's role.
