The Yankees’ spring training is off to a rough start with top pitching prospect Chase Hampton needing Tommy John surgery before the team even played its first exhibition game at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Hampton, the organization’s No. 3 pitching prospect, felt discomfort in his forearm during early camp workouts. What initially looked like a flexor strain turned out to be much worse – tests in New York revealed a torn UCL that’ll keep him sidelined for the entire 2024 season.
It’s a tough break for the 23-year-old righty, who’s already had his share of setbacks. Last year, Hampton missed time until July with a flexor strain, then saw his season cut short in August due to a groin issue. When he was on the mound though, he showed why he’s so highly regarded, posting a 2.41 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 18.2 innings in Double-A.
The timing couldn’t be worse for both Hampton and the Yankees. The Athletic’s Keith Law had just ranked him as the organization’s ninth-best prospect overall, and he was expected to provide valuable rotation depth this season. That’s especially important considering how injuries have impacted the Yankees’ pitching staff in recent years.
What makes this particularly frustrating is that Hampton seemed to be turning a corner after his injury-shortened 2023 campaign. His stuff was looking sharp in early bullpen sessions, and there was real buzz about him potentially making an impact at the big league level later this year.
Now the focus shifts to Hampton’s recovery, which typically takes 12-14 months for pitchers undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Yankees will have to be patient with their promising young arm, hoping he can pick up where he left off when he returns in 2025.
