Nationals’ Top Prospect Travis Sykora Undergoes Tommy John Surgery Delaying MLB Debut to 2027

Washington Nationals' top pitching prospect Travis Sykora will undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of the 2025 season and likely all of 2026, potentially delaying his MLB debut until 2027. Sykora, a 21-year-old third-round pick from 2023, had been dominant across multiple minor league levels this season, maintaining an ERA under 2.0 and striking out batters at an impressive rate. The injury was initially misattributed to triceps soreness before tests revealed a torn UCL requiring reconstruction. Sykora's absence represents a significant setback for the Nationals, who were counting on him as a key future asset alongside other promising young pitchers. This surgery adds Sykora to a growing list of Nationals pitchers undergoing similar procedures in 2025. Despite the setback, Sykora remains highly regarded for his long-term potential in dynasty formats and as a future major league impact player.