Sam Hentges to undergo shoulder surgery; Guardians reliever to miss 12-to-14 months

Sam Hentges' 2024 season is done. And his 2025 season is in jeopardy, too.

The Guardians' left-handed reliever will undergo shoulder surgery next week, and the original rehabilitation timetable is expected to be in the 12-to-14 month range. Hentges will likely miss nearly all of 2025, and that's in the likely best-case scenario.

Hentges sought at least three opinions on his ailing shoulder before coming to this decision. After submitting to another assessment, this one by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, it was confirmed that Hentges has an injury involving the capsule and labrum in his throwing shoulder. The recommendation was surgery and the lengthy rehab timeline that means Hentges will likely be unavailable until at least next September, and possibly not until the spring of 2026.

Hentges threw only 23 2/3 innings this season before he was placed on the injured list. He posted a 3.04 ERA with 27 strikeouts.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Sam Hentges to undergo shoulder surgery; Guardians reliever to miss 12-to-14 months