Phils' Dominguez undergoes TJ surgery

PHILADELPHIA – Phillies right-hander Seranthony Domínguez on Thursday finally had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

The long delay between injury and surgery might cost him as much as two-and-a-half seasons.

It has been 421 days since Domínguez threw a pitch in the big leagues. He left a June 5, 2019, game against the Padres in San Diego with an injured UCL. Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said at the time that Tommy John surgery was on the table. Domínguez said he was “hoping for a miracle” when he visited Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on June 12, 2019.

Domínguez received a PRP injection in his right elbow. He said he hoped to rehab the injury instead.

Domínguez said he entered Spring Training feeling OK, but he injured the elbow again on March 8. Again, Domínguez wanted to receive a second opinion. But Spring Training got cancelled on March 12 and the Dominican Republic implemented travel restrictions because of the global pandemic.

Domínguez could not return to the United States until June. But then there was another unexplained delay. It led him to Thursday’s surgery performed by Andrews.

Recovery from Tommy John can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months. It means if everything goes well, Domínguez could pitch for the Phillies the final two months of the 2021 season. If he needs more time, Phillies fans might not see him on a mound again until 2022.

The Phillies also announced that left-hander Cristopher Sanchez has been added to the 60-man player pool. He will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.