Pirates pitcher Max Kranick's season is done after the right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery Friday, according to a source.
His timetable for recovery is 14-16 months, which puts most, if not all, of his 2023 season at risk as well.
Kranick, 24, had started experiencing some elbow discomfort during the offseason and was unavailable to pitch for most of the abbreviated spring training. When he did pitch this season, he recorded five shutout innings in two major-league relief appearances, and allowed three runs over 8 2/3 innings over four minor-league outings.
The Pirates optioned Kranick to the minors on May 12, and he was placed on the seven-day injured list on May 17 with an aggravation of his spring training injury.
On his 93.7 The Fan radio show on May 23, general manager Ben Cherington said Kranick would be shut down "a little bit of time."
Kranick bounced between the majors and Class AAA Indianapolis for most of last season. He recorded a 6.28 ERA over 38 2/3 innings in his nine major-league starts in 2021. His peripherals were a little more encouraging, though, including a 4.57 expected ERA and 4.64 FIP.
With Indianapolis last season, Kranick pitched to a 4.14 ERA over a dozen starts.
Considered a hybrid pitcher candidate this year, Kranick saw his fastball velocity jump up a tick to a 95.2 mph average in his new role.
Kranick was added to the 40 man roster after the 2020 season, with the club encouraged by his uptick in velocity and a healthier throwing shoulder. The latter had been a recurring problem in his time as a professional, limiting the former 11th-round pick. Revised throwing mechanics helped him stay on the field and make the leap to the majors.
Kranick will still have one minor-league option year remaining at the end of this season.
