St. Louis Cardinals minor league pitcher Richard Fitts has undergone season-ending surgery to repair a right lat injury, a significant setback for the promising right-hander. The procedure, which occurred earlier this week, will sideline him for the remainder of the 2024 campaign.

Despite the disappointing news, the organization remains optimistic about his future. Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom stated Friday, "Long term prognosis should be good. We’re confident he’s going to bounce back and be just fine, but he’s not going to pitch again this season."

Fitts, acquired from the Boston Red Sox this past offseason as part of the trade for Sonny Gray, was making a strong impression in his new organization. In three starts for Triple-A Memphis this year, he posted a stellar 1.76 ERA with a 2-0 record, positioning himself as a potential call-up option.

Manager Oliver Marmol echoed the sentiment of a missed opportunity, noting Fitts' standout performance during spring training. "He did really well, and it’s someone that we definitely were going to count on providing some innings," Marmol said. "Really unfortunate... a really good competitor."

For a pitcher, a lat injury can be a tricky hurdle, often related to the powerful rotational forces of the throwing motion. Fitts, who holds a 3.97 ERA over 15 appearances in his major league career with Boston, now faces a focused rehabilitation period with an eye toward a full recovery for 2025.