Parker likely needs Tommy John surgery
An MRI of Mitchell Parker's elbow revealed a Grade 3 strain, and the left-hander most likely will have ligament replacement surgery
BOSTON – An MRI of Mitchell Parker’s elbow revealed a Grade 3 sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament, and the Nationals left-hander will likely need Tommy John surgery.
Parker, who was placed on the 15-day IL prior to Monday’s game, was awaiting results of that afternoon’s MRI to learn just how serious the injury was. It proved to be quite serious.
If the ligament replacement surgery takes place as expected, it will sideline Parker not only for the rest of this season but the majority of the 2027 season as well, with a chance he returns for the final month or two if everything goes smoothly in the rehab process.
“It’s not the end of the world,” the 26-year-old said. “It’s inconvenient, but it’s not the end of the world.”
