Rondon Has Tommy John Surgery

The Cleveland Indians suffered a pretty significant blow to their pitching staff for 2010 and beyond today when it was announced that Triple-A Columbus right-handed pitcher Hector Rondon had surgery yesterday for a UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) reconstruction - commonly referred to as Tommy John - on his right elbow. The surgery was done in Birmingham, AL and was performed by Dr. James Andrews.

Rondon had been out of action since May 12th when he went on the disabled list in Columbus with elbow soreness. At the time of the injury in seven starts for Columbus he was 1-3 with a 8.53 ERA (31.2 IP, 48 H, 10 BB, 33 K).

The 22-year old Rondon was the Indians' 2009 Minor League Pitcher of the Year last year and was a pitcher the club had hoped coming into the season would be a part of their big league staff at some point this season. He had recently began a return to throw program earlier this month at the Goodyear complex in Arizona, but in a recent bullpen session experienced more pain in the elbow region, and surgery was subsequently recommended.

Posted in: Hector Rondon