'We haven't even gotten married...' 23-year-old MLB prospect, testicular rupture from foul ball → emergency surgery "Indefinite absence expected"

*This content was translated by AI.

Joshua Kuroda-Grauwer (23, Athletics), who underwent emergency surgery due to a sudden injury recently, will not return to the field for some time.

U.S. media outlet Sporting News reported on the 23rd (Korean time) that "Kuroda-Grauwer, placed on the 10th-day injured list due to testicular rupture, is expected to be out indefinitely. There is no return schedule announced by the Athletics yet. He may have played his final game of the season."

Kuroda-Grauwer was selected as the 75th overall pick in the third round of the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft by the Athletics. A right-handed batter and infielder, he was highly anticipated for his excellent plate discipline and contact ability, reaching the big leagues within two years of joining the team.

However, he left the lineup after just 16 games due to a major injury. On the 21st, Kuroda-Grauwer started as the cleanup hitter and third baseman in an away game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, during the 2026 MLB regular season, where he suffered a severe injury. In the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on first base, a high pitch inside was hit hard toward his groin area.

In excruciating pain, Kuroda-Grauwer rolled on the ground, and the game was halted for some time. He got up again and drove a fourth-pitch high fastball for a line drive single to center field, but was eventually replaced by Donovan Walton before the bottom of the sixth inning defense and left the field.

His condition turned out to be more serious than expected. The diagnosis confirmed testicular rupture, leading to surgery. For Kuroda-Grauwer, who is still unmarried, this was a particularly unfortunate injury. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay commented on his player's condition: "He is still in the hospital. But he made a joke with me. He might be the only player to hit a home run and play defense despite suffering a testicular rupture. He is truly an amazing player," expressing both sorrow and admiration.

Kuroda-Grauwer's absence is also bad news for the Athletics. In just 16 games, he posted a .417 batting average (25 hits in 60 at-bats), one home run, four RBIs, an on-base percentage of .435, a slugging percentage of .583, and an OPS of 1.019. Despite the short span, he brought vitality to the lineup.

Sporting News also noted that "with the pitching staff struggling, Kuroda-Grauwer was one of the few players showing presence for the Athletics, so his departure is a significant loss."

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*This content was translated by AI.