A rough summer for Nationals fans got worse on Monday afternoon.
According to a MASN report, Nationals’ top pitching prospect Travis Sykora suffered a torn UCL injury that will require Tommy John surgery.
The elbow operation will sideline Sykora on the bench for an extended stretch, likely delaying his major league debut by a year.
The third-round pick in 2023 has steadily risen through the minor-league ranks with an impressive fastball and solid arsenal. He was ranked as Washington’s top prospect and the 24th best prospect in baseball before the injury.
After an impressive start with Single-A Fredericksburg last year, Sykora pitched his way into several promotions this year. Across 12 starts in four levels this season, the 21-year-old has maintained a 1.79 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings.
Sykora was named to the All-Star Futures Game earlier this month, though he missed the occasion with the elbow injury.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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