Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Shut Down For Two Months

Well, the good news is that surgery won't be required—at least for now. But shoulder issues will nevertheless force 27-year-old right-handed starting pitcher Justin Dunn to be shut down for two months to start the season.

Justin Dunn returned from NY where his shoulder was looked at. Good news was surgery wasn't recommended and pitching in 2023 in still possible. Bad news is he will be shut down for a couple of months to heal. Has inflammation in subscapularis in his right rotation cuff.

— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) March 4, 2023

Dunn has inflammation in the subscapularis in his right rotation cuff; it's the third consecutive season that Dunn has faced shoulder problems. 

He pitched just 31 innings in his first year in Cincinnati in 2022, and, hampered by the chronic shoulder issues, struggled to a 6.10 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP. His 21:17 strikeout-to-walk ratio was another problem which has plagued him throughout his 3+ years in the majors. He's handed out 5.8 walks against just 7.6 Ks per nine in his 133.2 innings lifetime.

Dunn was a first-round pick of the New York Mets in the 2016 MLB Draft (19th overall), but began his career with 2+ seasons with the Seattle Mariners. There, he posted a decent 3.94 ERA in 25 total starts in between trips to the injured list for his shoulder. 

The Reds might not get him back now until into the summer, given ramp-up time once he's cleared to throw in a couple of months. 

Photo: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports