D-backs’ Tomas to undergo core surgery, likely done for 2017
Aug 21, 2017, 9:33 PM | Updated: Aug 22, 2017, 11:38 am
Yasmany Tomas (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told media in New York on Monday that outfielder Yasmany Tomas will undergo core surgery for a sports hernia Tuesday in Philadelphia and is unlikely to return in 2017.
“We’d been very optimistic on a return,” Lovullo said, according to MLB.com’s Danny Knobler. “It had looked like he was getting close.”
Tomas went on the DL on June 6 for what was called a groin injury and played in three Arizona League games before his rehab assignment was shut down in July. On Aug. 4, he tweeted he would begin a minor league rehab stint and that he was “feeling great!”
Feeling great! Back to action in the minor leagues next week! 💪🙌. Can't wait to play and contribute! #Arizona #Dbacks
— Yasmany Tomas (@eltanquetomas) August 4, 2017
But on Aug. 17, Tomas again suffered a setback. He saw a specialist in Philadelphia on Monday.
Signed to a six-year, $68.5 million deal in 2014, the 26-year-old broke out in 2016. The Cuban outfielder appeared in 140 games, recording a team-high 31 home runs to go with 30 doubles while slashing .272/.313/.508.
The 26-year-old from Cuba hit .241 with eight homers and 32 RBIs in 47 games this season.
Following his disabled list assignment, Arizona filled the hole left by Tomas by acquiring outfielder J.D. Martinez from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline, but Tomas’ health appears key for 2018.
Martinez could likely command more than the D-backs are willing to pay in free agency, and Arizona would be forced to find a starting outfielder to place alongside David Peralta and A.J. Pollock.
