When it rains, it pours. Unfortunately, for Asa Lacy, it’s been raining for a long, long time. At least, figuratively in a baseball sense. The fourth overall pick in the MLB draft hasn’t pitched since 2022. He missed all of 2023 with a back injury that forced him to re-work his delivery and mechanics. Before his injury, he had pitched to a 7.09 ERA across two minor league seasons. Lacy has compiled just 80.0 total innings in his professional career, and he won’t be adding any more to that total in 2024.
Despite news that he was ramping up in spring training and participating in all drills, Lacy announced on Tuesday that he has undergone a full UCL reconstruction. The surgery, also known as Tommy John Surgery, will sideline Lacy for the entirety of the 2024 season. The typical recovery time for the procedure is 10-12 months but could take as long as 18 months depending on how Lacy recovers. It’s the latest in a long string of unfortunate injuries since Lacy was selected fourth overall.
That’s rough. Real rough. Royals prospect Asa Lacy announced tonight that he underwent a full UCL reconstruction and won’t pitch in 2024.
Lacy has been dealt a terrible hand with injuries and health after being drafted fourth overall in 2020. pic.twitter.com/a9woWroFTp