MLB rookie undergoes emergency surgery for ruptured testicle but still did something ‘remarkable’ beforehand

Jul 22, 2026 - 11:45

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer’s scintillating start to his MLB career has been stalled after an unfortunate injury.

Entering the July 20 matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Athletics rookie was hitting an incredible .404 through his first 15 games in the Major Leagues.

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer #44 of the Athletics celebrates with his teammates after scoring a run during the bottom of the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Sutter Health Park on July 18, 2026 in Sacramento, California. — Joshua Kuroda-Grauer made an incredible start to his major league career

In the fifth-inning of the game, Kuroda-Grauer entered the box and unfortunately fouled a ball into his groin.

In visible pain, the third-baseman fell to the ground clutching the area, before standing back up again.

Little did he know, he had just ruptured his testicle, making what he did next even more incredible.

Just three pitches later, Kuroda-Grauer smashed a single at 99mph to center field, his second hit of the day after slugging his first Major League home run in the second inning.

“It looks like he’s gonna come up with no balls and one strike…” commentator Chris Caray joked on the broadcast.

Kuroda-Grauer would take the field in the sixth inning, but was swiftly removed from the game and sent to Phoenix Hospital.

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer undergoes surgery for ruptured testicle

In hospital, he was diagnosed with the injury, and underwent emergency surgery.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay went to visit the rookie the day after and said he was in good spirits.

“He was joking about it. His personality is amazing. He’s such a great kid,” Kotsay said.

“Unfortunate to have to lose him with the way he was performing and just the way he was integrated into this group.

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer #44 of the Athletics lays in the batters box after getting hit by a foul ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Chase Field on July 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. — In the fifth inning, Kuroda-Grauer fouled the first pitch off his groin area

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer #44 of the Athletics rounds the bases after hitting his first career home run in the second inning during the game between the Athletics and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Monday, July 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona — Kuroda-Grauer had just hit his first major league home in the his previous at bat

“He’ll stay one more night in the hospital and then travel back to Sacramento.”

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“I think he might be the only player in Major League history to [rupture] a testicle, get a hit, then play a half-inning of defense.

“It shows you the fight that this kid has. His desire to be on the field and just the will and want is pretty remarkable.”

The Athletics placed Kuroda-Grauer on the injured list and Kotsay added that there is no timeline for return.

In 2019, Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger suffered the same injury after fouling a ball off his groin.

The initial timetable for recovery Haniger was handed was 10-12 weeks, but complications in his rehab resulted in a chain of injuries.

Haniger tore his adductor muscle, which required a second surgery in August 2019.

Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after an injury during a game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on June 13, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. — The normal recovery timeline for a ruptured testicle is 4-6 weeks

He then suffered a herniated disc, requiring a third surgery in January 2020.

All being well, Kuroda-Grauer could return for the home stretch of the 2026 MLB season.

The Las-Vegas bound Athletics currently sit fourth in the American League West division, eight games behind the Texas Rangers.

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