Locals In MLB: Drew Thorpe, Ky Bush To Miss 2025 Following Surgery
Apr 3, 2025, 1:14 PM
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 22: Drew Thorpe #33 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning at Comerica Park on June 22, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 05: Ky Bush #57 of the Chicago White Sox with an MLB Debut patch on his sleeve in his major league debut pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the fourth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on August 5, 2024 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY—For a pair of former Utah high school pitching stars, the 2025 season ended before it began. Southpaw Ky Bush and righthander Drew Thorpe will undergo Tommy John surgery in their pitching elbows.
The duo joins an extensive list of Chicago White Sox pitchers who suffered arm injuries during spring training. Six South Side hurlers will miss the season with Tommy John surgery, less than a week into the regular season.
White Sox Suffer Major Blow to Pitching Depth With Multiple Season-Ending Surgerieshttps://t.co/0635gDhl5W
— Sox On Tap (@SoxOnTap) March 7, 2025
Elbow discomfort during the winter led Bush to undergo surgery in February. Thorpe, whose rookie campaign ended when he underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in his pitching elbow, became the fifth Sox pitcher to need TJ in late March.
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What is Tommy John surgery?
Tommy John surgery is designed to replace the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow with a tendon from another part of the patient or a cadaver.
Dr. Frank Jobe pioneered the procedure in September 1974 on Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John. John returned to an MLB mound in April 1976.
The procedure typically requires a 12 to 18-month recovery.
Drew Thorpe | Pitcher | Desert Hills HS
Chicago White Sox
Thorpe strung together five consecutive quality starts, including the 24-year-old’s only wins during his time with the White Sox. The St. George native gave up 13 hits in 30.1 innings during the hot stretch. He struck out 20 batters while walking ten.
RELATED: Thorpe’s First MLB Season Ends Following Surgery
Drew Thorpe was set for a huge season, but the changeup artist will unfortunately go Tommy John surgery.
It’s not just hard-throwing pitchers. Thorpe sits low-90’s.
Another player to scratch from your fantasy draft boards.
— LouisAnalysis (@LouisAnalysis) March 22, 2025
The former Desert Hills star began the season with Double-A Birmingham. He amassed a sterling 7-1 record with a Southern League-best 1.35 ERA in 60 innings to earn a big league call-up. The White Sox traded for Thorpe in March 2024.
The New York Yankees selected Thorpe in the second round of the 2023 MLB draft. He was one of five players sent to the San Diego Padres in return for star outfielder Juan Soto.
Last 7 Games: 3-2 | 4.75 ERA | 36 IP | 26 Hits | 21 Ks | 14 BBs | 1.11 WHIP
2024 MLB Stats: 9 Starts | 3-3 | 5.48 ERA | 44.1 IP | 25 Ks | 21 BB | 1.26 WHIP
Ky Bush | Pitcher | Fremont HS
Chicago White Sox
One calendar year after being a trade-deadline acquisition of the White Sox, Bush made his MLB debut with four innings and three earned runs against the Oakland Athletics on August 5. The Ogden, Utah native made four starts, with the White Sox tallying one quality start against Houston. Bush scattered four hits in six innings, giving up a solo home run while striking out five and walking three.
RELATED: Ky Bush Makes MLB Debut With Chicago White Sox
ICYMI: White Sox 11th ranked prospect rookie LHP Ky Bush will undergo Tommy John Surgery on Wednesday (today), per Chris Getz (GM). #WhiteSox #mlbunitedwhitesox #mlbunitedinjuries pic.twitter.com/MciPHMxQZx
— MLB United (@MLBUnited_) February 12, 2025
He finished the year making two appearances for Triple-A Charlotte before being shut down following a September 7 start that lasted one inning. He was placed on the 15-day IL with a left triceps strain that ended his season. MLB.com said Bush finished the season as the franchise’s No. 9 overall prospect.
The Los Angeles Angels selected Bush out of Fremont High School in the second round of the 2021 MLB draft. The 6’6 lefty appeared in the 2022 MLB Futures Game at Dodger Stadium during All-Star weekend. Bush was dealt to the Chicago White Sox in July 2023, finishing the season at Double-A Birmingham.
2024 MLB Stats: 4 Games | 0-3 | 3.30 ERA | 17.2 IP | 11 Ks | 16 BB | 2.04 WHIP
2024 MiLB Stats: 20 Games | 7-4 | 3.30 ERA | 106.1 IP | 100 Ks | 46 BB | 1.17 WHIP
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Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
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