Drey Jameson
PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks rookie right-hander and former Greenfield-Central standout Drey Jameson has opted for Tommy John surgery after attempting to make a comeback this season, manager Torey Lovullo said on Sunday.
The report on Jameson’s decision came from ArizonaSports.com writer Alex Weiner.
Jameson strained his ulnar collateral ligament in an appearance against the New York Mets on July 6 and landed on the injured list soon after.
The 26-year-old chose to rehab over having the surgery in an effort to pitch again at the end of this season. Lovullo did not rule out his return until after he started throwing off a mound this week.
“He was really encouraged early on by the throwing program and his ability to let the ball go and be pain free,” Lovullo told ArizonaSports.com. “I think when he stepped onto a mound, he just felt like he had nothing behind the ball, there was not a lot of power. I think the discomfort began at that point.”
Had Jameson gone through with the surgery in July or August, he would still have missed most of if not all the 2024 season. Lovullo did not have a specific timeline for the pitcher.
Jameson threw in 15 games for the D-backs this season with three starts and a save. He owned a 2.81 ERA in 32 innings of relief this season.
Arizona reliever Scott McGough had Tommy John surgery in 2014, and his main takeaways from the experience were to slow down and listen to the medical personnel.
“It really is important to take some time off if you have to,” McGough said. “I know you want to get better fast, and everyone wants to rehab really fast, but it’s really important to start slow and then really kick it into gear once you get rolling with it.”
