Sea Dogs Injury Notes: Yordanny Monegro to have Tommy John, Mikey Romero return
In the 2nd inning of Yordanny Monegro’s June 13th start on the road for the Portland Sea Dogs against the Somerset Patriots, the young right handed pitcher was lifted from the game after a visit to the mound including the team trainer and manager Chad Epperson. The cause for concern was immediate. The week prior Monegro had been scratched with elbow inflammation.
In the following days, the Red Sox prospect got an MRI revealing he had torn his UCL, signaling the end of his 2025 season and the need for Tommy John Surgery. Epperson recalled feeling the same emotions to the year prior, when Sea Dogs pitchers Angel Bastardo and Luis Perales both endured significant arm injuries in the same week.
“You feel for anyone, that goes through it, but this young man, the work he was putting in, he finally figured that out,“ Epperson said. “In the weight room, the nutrition, everything he was going and buying into, he finally figured that part out, and that really sucks for him because you were starting to see the results from that into his pitching.”
In 33.2 innings pitched in 2025, Monegro has a 2.67 ERA, 13.10 K/9, and 2.14 BB/9. Among pitchers in the Eastern League who have thrown at least 30 innings, he ranks 3rd in K/9 and 15th in BB/9.
Another injury update includes the return of infielder Mikey Romero. Romero has been on the injured list with forearm soreness since June 4th. As of Wednesday, the plan was for Romero return to play on Friday as the DH, which isn’t uncommon when easing players back from injury, though when he returns to playing defense, it could be at any of second base, shortstop, or third base.
Manager Chad Epperson talked about how he sees him fitting in at third base.
“His ability to go all over the dirt is going to be key for him,” Epperson said. “I really like him at third base, you see a confident player there. He loves to play on the run and I think third base allows you to do that.
In 2025 Romero is slashing .246/.335./.457 with a 11.3% BB%, 27% K%, five home runs, 10 doubles, and 18 RBI.
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