Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kyle Drabek will undergo season-ending elbow surgery on Tuesday. 
Drabek, 24, had the same operation four years ago, when he was a Philadelphia Phillies prospect. It took him about 13 months to return to action.
Last Wednesday he felt a “popping sensation” in his elbow while pitching against the Washington Nationals and left the game. Tests showed that he had a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which connects the large bones of the upper and lower arm.
The reconstructive procedure, known as Tommy John surgery, removes a tendon from elsewhere in the body and replaces the UCL.
Dr. James Andrews confirmed the diagnosis when he examined Drabek at his at his clinic in Pensacola, Fla., on Monday and will perform the surgery on Tuesday.
Several pitchers have enjoyed successful careers after two Tommy John surgeries, including Jason Frasor of the Blue Jays and Chris Capuano of the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson underwent his second Tommy John surgery in April.
Drabek had a 4-7 record with a 4.67 ERA in 13 starts this season. In parts of three seasons in the majors, he is 8-15 with a 5.34 ERA.
The Blue Jays also have two other starters on the disabled list: Brandon Morrow, with a strained muscle below his left rib cage, and Drew Hutchison, who is seeking a second opinion on his elbow sprain.
Hutchison’s initial diagnosis was the same as Drabek’s, without the tear. Hutchison wants to make sure surgery is not required so he saw an elbow specialist on Monday. There is no word yet on the outcome of his visit.
Drabek was the centrepiece of the trade that sent Roy Halladay to the Phillies in December 2009. That deal also brought catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud to Toronto.
Drabek, 24, had the same operation four years ago, when he was a Philadelphia Phillies prospect. It took him about 13 months to return to action.
Last Wednesday he felt a “popping sensation” in his elbow while pitching against the Washington Nationals and left the game. Tests showed that he had a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which connects the large bones of the upper and lower arm.
The reconstructive procedure, known as Tommy John surgery, removes a tendon from elsewhere in the body and replaces the UCL.
Dr. James Andrews confirmed the diagnosis when he examined Drabek at his at his clinic in Pensacola, Fla., on Monday and will perform the surgery on Tuesday.
Several pitchers have enjoyed successful careers after two Tommy John surgeries, including Jason Frasor of the Blue Jays and Chris Capuano of the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson underwent his second Tommy John surgery in April.
Drabek had a 4-7 record with a 4.67 ERA in 13 starts this season. In parts of three seasons in the majors, he is 8-15 with a 5.34 ERA.
The Blue Jays also have two other starters on the disabled list: Brandon Morrow, with a strained muscle below his left rib cage, and Drew Hutchison, who is seeking a second opinion on his elbow sprain.
Hutchison’s initial diagnosis was the same as Drabek’s, without the tear. Hutchison wants to make sure surgery is not required so he saw an elbow specialist on Monday. There is no word yet on the outcome of his visit.
Drabek was the centrepiece of the trade that sent Roy Halladay to the Phillies in December 2009. That deal also brought catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud to Toronto.
