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Come Fan with UsThursday, June 25, 2026

Joey Devine Having Tommy John Surgery

For the second time in his career, Joey Devine needs some major structural re-working in his elbow. He’s out for this season, and presumably some of the next one.

PHOENIX, AZ: Pitcher Joey Devine #33 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during spring training photo day at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ: Pitcher Joey Devine #33 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during spring training photo day at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ: Pitcher Joey Devine #33 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during spring training photo day at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Getty Images

In January 2008, the Atlanta Braves traded Joey Devine to the Oakland Athletics. The next season, Devine posted a 0.59 ERA in 42 appearances out of the Oakland bullpen. It's the second-lowest single-season ERA in baseball history for a pitcher with at least 40 innings, and the lowest since 1911. It was kind of a breakthrough year.

Unfortunately, Devine has been unable to follow it up. In 2009, Devine underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He eventually made it back to throw 26 times for the A’s in 2011, but now Devine needs to do it all over again.

Word was out Monday that Devine needed surgery on his elbow. The nature of the surgery was unknown. Now it's known, and it isn't good. Devine's 28, and he might be 30 by the time he throws another major-league pitch. If he ever throws another major-league pitch. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. A healthy Devine is an effective Devine; he'll just need to work his way back to that state, once again. Then we can all resume with our Devine Intervention headlines.

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