Oakland Athletics rookie Joshua Kuroda-Grauer underwent emergency surgery after rupturing a testicle by fouling a pitch into his groin during Monday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kuroda-Grauer, 23, suffered the injury in the fifth inning but remained in the game long enough to finish the plate appearance, lining a nearly 100 mph fastball into right-center field for his second hit of the night. Earlier in the game, he had hit his first major league home run.
“No balls and one strike”
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer fouled a ball directly off his nuts, then recovered and got a base knock pic.twitter.com/wtFcxBXjKd
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 21, 2026
Kuroda-Grauer stayed in the game as a baserunner and even returned to the field for the bottom of the fifth inning before being replaced in the sixth with what the A’s initially described as a “testicular contusion.”
The A’s later announced that Kuroda-Grauer underwent emergency surgery Monday night at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix after doctors determined he had suffered a ruptured testicle.
From the A’s :
Kuroda-Grauer was injured last night after fouling off a pitch in the fifth inning. He underwent emergency surgery to repair a ruptured testicle last night at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix and is resting comfortably.— Jody Jackson (@Jody_Jackson) July 21, 2026
“I think he might be the only player in Major League history to [rupture] a testicle, get a hit, then play a half of [an] inning of defense,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay told reporters. “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.”
Following an ultrasound, doctors determined immediate surgery was necessary. Kuroda-Grauer was placed on the 10-day injured list, and the team has not announced a timetable for his return.
Kotsay said the rookie remained in good spirits after the procedure.
“He was joking about it. His personality is amazing,” he stated. “But we’re thankful the surgery went well and he’s recovering well. We’re thankful that he’s going to be fine and that it doesn’t impact his life.”
One of the A’s top prospects, Kuroda-Grauer has made an immediate impact since making his major league debut on June 29. Through his first 60 at-bats, he is hitting .417 with seven doubles, one home run, and four RBIs.
