Former Reds pitcher suffers heartbreaking injury while readying for return from Tommy John surgery

Left-handed reliever Justin Wilson was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds at about this time two years ago.

On July 28, 2021, the New York Yankees shipped both Wilson and Luis Cessa to Cincinnati in exchange for a player to be named later. The move was little more than a salary dump for the Bronx Bombers who were looking to get out from under Wilson's contract.

Wilson appearaed in 21 games for the Reds during the second-half of the 2021 season and posted a solid 2.81 ERA in 16 innings of work. Wilson was re-signed during the offseason and was thought to be a key reliever during the 2022 season.

Former Reds pitcher suffers heartbreaking injury while readying for return.

Unfortunately, Justin Wilson made only five appearances for the Cincinnati Reds in 2022. Though Wilson had success with seven strikeouts and no walks in 3.2 innings pitched to begin the season, the lefty suffered an elbow injury and required Tommy John surgery which effectively ended his 2022 campaign.

After becoming a free agent following the 2022 season, Wilson signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason knowing full well that he wouldn't be able to toe the rubber until later this summer.

Wilson was activated from the 60-day IL yesterday, but unfortunately, the southpaw was readying to enter last night's game against the Atlanta Braves but appeared to injure himself while warming up in the bullpen.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell emerged from the dugout to take the ball from Bryce Wilson, but Justin Wilson was unable to enter the game. According Counsell, who spoke to MLB.com after the game, Wilson felt something significant during his final warm up pitch.

This is an awful set of circumstances for the former Cincinnati Reds reliever. To work your way all the way back from Tommy John surgery and then suffer another injury upon return is just gut-wrenching. Here's hoping that this latest injury doesn't sideline Justin Wilson for the remainder of the season.