Los Angeles Angels left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers exited Wednesday’s game early due to discomfort in his throwing arm.
Detmers threw just ⅔ innings in Wednesday’s matchup against the Minnesota Twins, in which his velocity was noticeably down. Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery and head athletic trainer Mike Frostad visited Detmers on the mound before pulling him from the game.
Detmers left the game more due to discomfort than pain. The 26-year-old told Montgomery that he didn’t like the way the ball felt coming out of his hand, noting that he felt something in his forearm.
“It’s not in the inside of the elbow, it’s more on the outer half,” Detmers said. “But we don’t know anything yet, obviously. We’ll get an MRI tomorrow and see what’s going on.”
Detmers is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday, and he and the team will take the necessary next steps from there. He does not believe it is an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament, which would require the dreaded Tommy John surgery that is every pitcher’s worst nightmare. Instead, it felt more like he had a dead arm.
Detmers has already undergone Tommy John surgery twice in his career, returning as a reliever for the Halos after the most recent surgery. Fortunately, the southpaw isn’t concerned about last night’s exit.
“Honestly, I didn't feel much,” Detmers said. “Just felt like it wasn't coming out. Just kind of just felt that not a whole lot of power behind it. I wouldn't say I'm too concerned. Obviously, there's what's going on, but nothing hurts. I'm not in pain or anything.”
Detmers has pitched in 61 games in relief this season for Los Angeles. He has recorded an ERA of 3.96 and 80 strikeouts in 63 ⅔ innings thrown.
The Angels selected Detmers at the 10th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft. He has pitched 449 ⅓ innings for the team since debuting in the majors in 2021. Over five seasons, he has recorded an ERA of 4.77.
Angels fans hope to see Detmers return to the mound soon, as he has logged the most innings out of the bullpen for the club this season. With the team out of playoff contention, it’s wise for Detmers not to rush a return to the bullpen in the coming days.