The Washington Nationals got a harsh update Tuesday on Mitchell Parker, and it points toward a long absence.
Parker, a left-hander who was moved from the rotation into the bullpen, was placed on the injured list Monday because of what the team described as elbow tightness. His fastball had already shown a troubling sign in his latest outing, with his average velocity down more than 5 mph. After imaging, manager Blake Butera said Parker has a Grade 3 UCL sprain that will likely require Tommy John surgery.
That diagnosis would wipe out the rest of Parker’s season and almost certainly keep him sidelined through all of 2027. The earliest realistic return would be the start of the 2028 season.
The injury lands on a rough year for Parker, who is in his third major league season and was tracking toward his worst one yet. Across 22 appearances and 39 2/3 innings, he posted a 6.58 ERA and -1.1 WAR after shifting into relief work.
For Washington, it’s another hit to a bullpen that has already struggled badly this season. The Nationals entered Tuesday at 43-43, a record that looked better than expected for a club many thought would sit near the bottom of MLB. Parker’s likely surgery only deepens the concern.
And even if he gets back by 2028, Parker still has work to do to stick. He carries a career ERA of 5.19, so he’ll need a strong rehab and a convincing case that he can still help the Nationals going forward.
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Nationals Just Made Another Pitching Shuffle Fans Can't Ignore
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